God Wrote The Book

God has many mind-boggling attributes.

Over the past week, I’ve been studying His omniscience.

Here’s a compelling description for your meditation today:

“The omniscience of God indicates that He possesses perfect knowledge of all things past, present, and future – immediately, effortlessly, simultaneously, and exhaustively. There is nothing hidden from God. He knows all the facts, and He interprets them with perfect wisdom.” (Paul Washer, Knowing the Living God)

This means that God never learns anything because He already knows everything. He can never be taught something new. And it is ludicrous to think that anyone can give Him advice.

This should give us reason to worship the God who knows all, as Paul does in Romans 11:33-36 —

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
    or who has been his counselor?”
“Or who has given a gift to him
    that he might be repaid?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

David also wrote about God’s omniscience, but in a most personal way. David was blown away by God’s comprehensive knowledge of David:

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
Psalm 139:1-4

God knows everything about us, as if He examined us under a microscope and produced a report that detailed everything we have ever thought, said, and done.

He knows how many breaths I take every day and the number of hairs on my head.
He knows every action I take, from the most insignificant to the most important.
He knows where I go, when I go, and why I go there. I am never out of His sight.
He knows me inside and out – all my thoughts, attitudes, feelings, desires, and motives.
He knows what I’m going to say before I say it.

Like Paul, David was overwhelmed by God’s knowledge:

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.
Psalm 139:6

Yes, this is reason to offer praise and adoration to the God of perfect knowledge.

And it is also reason for either encouragement or dread. As Paul Washer writes:

“For the Christian, the omniscience of God instills great confidence and comfort – God knows our every need, He understands our every trial, and He has given us His infallible Word to guide us through life.”

“For the unbeliever, the omniscience of God instills terror, because God will judge every man according to His perfect knowledge of all the facts – no sin is hidden or will be forgotten. Every creature, every deed, and every thought is before Him like an open book.”

This is why Jesus said, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.” (Matthew 12:36).

How do you respond to the omniscience of God? What impact has God’s perfect knowledge had on you? Feel free to share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.