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Scripture for the day: Psalm 139:1-6 Oh Lord, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.  You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Thought for the day: I know, this is the same scripture reference we looked at yesterday. Sometimes, we are blessed by reading these things more than once. Think again, for a few moments about the scope of God’s knowledge. The God of the universe knows more about you and me than we could ever hope to understand. Again, this may be comforting or condemning, depending on your relationship with Him.
 “You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar.” That pretty much covers it all, doesn’t it? They tell me there are satellites orbit above the earth that can see a quarter on the sidewalk from 80 miles overhead. They can even tell you if it’s lying there heads up or heads down. Incredible! More incredible is the fact that God knows so much more. This word, ‘discern,’ carries with it the idea of winnowing grain. The grain is repeatedly thrown into the air, allowing the wind to blow away the chaff. In the same way, God sifts through everything in our lives, the good, the bad and the ugly, making us useful and clean before Him. God knows what’s going on with you this very moment; how many hairs are on your head and how many you lost in the shower this morning. He knows your deepest fear, the sin you may be trying to hide, and the tiniest challenges that threaten to defeat you. Nothing escapes His gaze. “You are familiar with all my ways,” says the Psalmist.
 God knows every thought I think. More than that, He knows why I think it, the motives that propel me in whatever direction I may be going. He knows how my thoughts affect me and how they will affect my future. Do you know why you say the things you do? God knows. Do you understand why you get angry so easily in certain situations? God does, and He cares about you enough to provide a solution 
 God knows every stupid word I’ve ever spoken, whether those words were said audibly or not. “Before a word is on my tongue, You know it completely” (v. 4). Yup, He even knows what I was going to say but didn’t; every selfish, insensitive hurtful thing I didn’t say. He knows every helpful, supportive, loving thoughts I failed to speak. And He loves me just the same time. 
 My God knows my every need. David said, “You have laid your hand upon me.” Now, this idea of the laying on of hands has to do with pronouncing a blessing. Every father would do just that when he thought he might be near the end of his days, blessing each of his children. Now, that’s my God, offering me His blessing and protection just because of His love for me. “I’m here with you,” He says. “I know what you need. I’m ready to help, to protect, to watch over you.” 
 Think about it for a moment; whatever you’re doing, whatever challenge you may face, whatever is causing you pain or grief, God knows all about it and He cares. He has His hand on you, to bless and not to curse. He has His hand on you, to protect and not to harm.
 When I think of this, I have to repeat with David, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” In other words, “That just blows my mind!” The Gfiod of all creation loves me even though He knows how broken and helpless I am. With that in mind, I’m headed out into the world with confidence. What can mankind do to me?
Now go take on your world.  -  Bill