Have you ever wondered if God knows what you are going through? -- What you are experiencing?
I have at times -- & maybe you have as well.
I find comfort today in the words of Jesus found in Matthew 6:25-34 -- especially in the words of vs. 32: “for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.” (Read Scripture)
Your heavenly Father knows all your needs!
That, my friends, is a truth that you can take to the Bank.
It was Jesus Who introduced to us the Father concept of God.
Jesus taught us that God is our Father; -- we are His children.
Because God is our loving Father -- God has committed Himself to our care & to our keep!
God is our ‘heavenly’ Father!
Heaven does not only refer to God’s address; -- heaven also speaks of God’s nature!
When we speak of our heavenly Father -- we speak not only of where He is -- but what He is!
As a human father -- in an effort to raise our children -- there were many times that I made mistakes; -- I failed my children; -- I lacked the wisdom, or the knowledge, I needed. -- And I still do.
But God is our heavenly Father -- & in His heavenliness -- His Divinity -- He makes no mistakes -- He never fails!
God is wisdom in His very nature.
He knows what is always best for His children.
The Bible also tells us that God is love -- & He cares for His children!
As a human father -- I do not always know what my children are facing.
But God -- our heavenly Father, knows all about His children! -- He knows all our needs!
God is not ignorant; -- God is not oblivious to our needs; -- God is not indifferent toward us; -- He knows all things & He cares!
Our Heavenly Father is the all knowing & all loving God!
In this passage -- Jesus is instructing us to consider the birds -- consider the lilies (the wildflowers) -- consider the fields.
God takes care of them all -- & we are far more valuable to Him than any of them are!
I received an e-mail a few years ago entitled: -- “God Knows”
May I share it with you? --
When you are tired & discouraged from doomed circumstances & situations -- God knows how hard you have tried.
When you’ve cried for so long & your heart is in such anguish -- God has counted your tears.
If you feel that your life is on hold & time has just passed you by -- God is waiting with you.
When you’re lonely & your friends are too busy to call or can’t under-stand -- God is by your side.
When you think you’ve tried everything & don’t know where else to turn -- God has a solution.
When nothing makes sense & you are searching for a solution -- God has the answer.
If suddenly your outlook is brighter & you find traces of hope in life -- God has whispered to you.
When things are going well & you have much to be thankful for -- God has blessed you.
When something amazing happens & you find that special someone -- God has smiled upon you.
When you have a dream to follow & also a reality to live -- God has opened your eyes & called your name.
Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing now -- GOD KNOWS!!
My friends -- I find great comfort today in the fact that my heavenly Father knows all my needs! -- & He knows what I am facing each & every moment of the day!
He is the all knowing God!
He knows what exactly you & I are going through! -- He knows what we are experiencing -- He knows what we are facing!
He knows all our needs; -- emotionally -- physically -- even spiritually!
There are three things I have discovered as I have thought about our all knowing & loving heavenly Father: --
1. There Are No Surprises Unknown to God!
Life is so full of surprises!
While she was enjoying a trans-atlantic ocean trip -- Billie Burke, the famous actress -- noticed that a gentleman at the next table was suffering from a bad cold.
Sympathetically she asked: -- “Are you uncomfortable?”
The man nodded.
So she offered some advice: “I’ll tell you what to do for it. -- Go back to your stateroom & drink lots of orange juice. -- Take two aspirins. -- Cover yourself with all the blankets you can find. -- Sweat the cold out. -- I know just what I’m talking about. -- I’m Billie Burke from Hollywood.”
The man smiled warmly & introduced himself in return.
“Thanks,” -- he said. -- “I’m Dr. Mayo of the Mayo Clinic.”
But there are many surprises which are much more serious in nature!
There are so many unpleasant surprises that occur to you & me in the course of our lives; -- the unexpected; -- the unforeseen; -- they catch us off-guard!
We are often startled -- dumbfounded -- taken aback -- blown away.
But -- my friends -- there are no surprises to God.
Nothing takes God by surprise!
When the ‘unexpected’ -- the unforeseen -- events come our way -- God knew all about it even before it takes place.
God -- in His fore-knowledge -- can see around the corner.
He knows what is about to happen.
He knows what lies ahead of us in the pathway of life.
He knows about tomorrow -- next month -- next year!
When you go to work -- & discover to your shock -- that you have been ‘terminated’ -- God knew!
The boss said to one of his workers who arrived late: “You should have been here at 8:00.” -- The employee answered: “Why, what happened?”
When you get that unexpected phone call with bad news -- God knew!
When the doctors strikes fear into your heart with the shocking announcement -- “You have cancer” -- God knew!
There are no accidents in God’s providence!
He knows -- & He has a way of preparing us for the unexpected.
And God’s grace always accompanies life’s surprises!
2. There Are No Struggles Unknown to God!
We all face struggles on the path way of life.
God knows all about our struggles.
He knows about the stress in your life.
He knows about the pressures.
He knows about the disappointments.
He knows about the needs in your life.
Oh -- those hurts & disappointments that creep into our lives from time to time. -- Life is so full of troubles!
Are you struggling over an impossible situation -- in your job -- in your home -- with your family?
God knows all about it! -- He is well aware of what you are going through right now; -- He knows what you have to cope with; -- He knows all about your circumstances!
Our struggles are never a strain on God’s sufficiency!
The struggles of life are often like the storms of life; -- but He who stilled the storm can give you peace even in the midst of your struggles!
God does not expect us to ‘hole the road of life’ alone!
And He who knows -- has a way of preparing us for what is coming!
The whole context of this Scriptural passage in Matt. 6 -- reminds us of the fact that God will care for our needs: --
Our material needs -- food -- clothing -- housing.
Our physical needs -- in times of illness -- remember, He is still the Great Physician.
Our spiritual needs -- He can bring fullness & wholeness into our hearts.
God knows -- & He has promised to stand by us; -- He will not leave us -- nor forsake us! -- God does provide!
If we could look behind the unexpected events in our lives -- we would be amazed to see God wonderfully proving for our needs.
The insignificant turns in the road -- the seemingly unimportant events -- the often unexplained happenings -- all are part of God’s loving care.
God’s gracious providence is also evident in the tangible provisions of life. -- God does provide!
George Muller of Bristol, England -- was a man who believed greatly in God’s provisions. -- He operated an orphanage for 2000 children.
One evening he became aware that there would be no breakfast for them the next morning.
Muller called his workers together & explained the situation.
Two or three prayed. -- He said with confidence: - “Now that is sufficient. -- Let us praise God even now for answered prayer.”
The next morning they could not push open the great front door.
So they went out the back door & around the building to see what was keeping it shut.
Stacked up against the front door were boxes filled with food.
One of the workers later remarked: -- “We know who sent the baskets -- but we do not know who brought them!”
Sometimes you & I get down to the last of our resources -- but we can rest assured that the heavenly Father knows exactly what we need!
And this brings assurance to our hearts.
Knowing the Source -- we can leave to Him the method of His supply.
Your heavenly Father knows all your needs!
3. There Are No Sins Unknown to God!
Sin is disobedience to the known law of God!
God loves you & me -- but God hates our sin!
Sin is a terrible insult to God -- Who is righteous & holy!
God desires a holy people -- people that are free from the practice of sinning!
When we willingly choose to disobey God -- we break the heart of a loving, caring heavenly Father -- & we bring guilt & condemnation upon ourselves!
We may think we are getting away with certain secret acts:
You may hide it from your pastor; --
Your parents may not know what you are doing; --
Your spouse may not know what you are doing; --
Your closest & dearest friends may not even be aware of what you are doing -- but God sees & knows all things!
Able Lincoln once said: “You can fool some of the people all the time -- & you can fool all the people some of the time -- but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”
May I add to that: -- “You cannot fool God any of the time!”
There are no secrets before the heavenly Father!
He knows who you really are; -- He knows what you are; -- He knows what you are thinking; -- He knows what you are doing; -- He knows what you are trying to hide; -- He knows all about your life -- the good, the bad & the ugly!
If you do not rid yourself of your sins -- they will do you in!
You cannot sin & hide from God. -- You cannot sin & win!
But I must add the fact -- that because God is the heavenly Father -- & because He loves you so -- He provided through JC a way for the forgiveness of sin.
God stands ready & willing to forgive & transform your life! -- & to give you a new start with a new heart!
The only sin God cannot forgive is the unconfessed sin!
1 John 1:9 is still true: -- “If we confess our sins, He is faithful...”
Is there some hidden sin in your life? -- No one knows about it except you; -- you have kept it well hidden; -- you hope no one will ever find out!
My friends -- God already knows! -- And He is willing & able to forgive you if you will only confess it to Him -- & He will enable you to clean up your life altogether.
Conclusion: -- Your heavenly Father knows all your needs!
Our heavenly Father knows!
He knows even before the unexpected events of our lives take place.
He knows all about our troubles & our struggles.
He knows when we do wrong & sin.
Nothing escapes His attention -- & nothing escapes His loving care -- He is our heavenly Father!
He prepares the way for the unexpected events.
He provides grace in the midst of our struggles.
He forgives -- when we confess to Him -- our sins & failures.
Oh, the comfort that comes in the fact that He knows!
So what do we do when the unexpected happens?
When the struggles of life occur?
When we have failed & sinned?
Vs. 33 gives us the answer: -- “Seek you first the kingdom of God -- & his righteousness; -- & all these things shall be added unto you.”
Seek -- with all your heart!
First -- Give God 1st place in your life; --
Make sure God is #1 in your heart; --
Give God priority over everything else; --
Surrender to Him completely.
Kingdom of God -- Stay with the church -- keep close to God’s people -- don’t withdraw, nor isolate yourself! -- seek God’s kingdom!
His righteousness -- His purity -- His holiness!
Do what you know to be right in God’s sight!
Seek to live according to God’s will for you!
My friends -- He does know what you are going through? -- What you are experiencing?
If you learn to live in accordance with Matt. 6:33 -- then your heavenly Father -- Who knows all things -- will care for you -- & supply your hearts deepest needs!
God knows! --
He knows what you are going through;
He knows your feelings -- your hurts -- your disappointments.
He knows the pain in your body -- & the pain in your heart.
He knows & understands your sorrow -- your grief.
He knows of your concern for that family member.
He knows about your financial needs -- your health needs -- your need for work -- for encouragement -- for comfort & for grace.
He knows it all -- & He wants to help carry your load -- if you will just share it all with Him!
Won’t you share it with Him today -- & put Him first in your life?