Devotions for September--Week2
God Knows You
Week Two
God created you, giving you your talents, looks, genetics, and even numbering the hairs on your head. He knows your strengths and weaknesses, sins and temptations. God also knows if your heart is pure when you ask for forgiveness. There are many examples in the Bible of God knowing the heart of a person. Just one example is the anointing of David as king.
Starting in 1 Samuel 16, we discover the story of what some might call the greatest king in the history of Israel. God rejected the first king of Israel, Saul, and sent Samuel to the house of Jesse of Bethlehem. Jesse had eight sons. They passed in front of Samuel starting with the oldest son. As the first one passed God said to Samuel “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Six more passed in front of Samuel until finally David passed before him. David was the smallest and youngest of all the sons. He was nothing like Saul the first king, who was tall and strong, a man whose stature gave him respect.
God chose David because of his heart. He knew more about David than the people around him. He knew David’s potential. There was a uniqueness in David’s heart, an attitude that made him a candidate for king. God saw and knew of it when David was young, just like he knows your potential and heart now.
7. Read Psalm 139:1-6. David mentions several areas of his life, which God has “searched and known.” List the different ways that God knew David. What does that make you think about your own life?
8. How did David respond as he realized how completely God knew him (Psalm 139:23-24)?
9. What does Jesus reveal about God’s detailed interest in you (Matthew 10:29-31)?
10. Why do you think that God would be so interested in you?
11. God knows your talents and potential. He knows everything that you can accomplish for him. However, sometimes our own insecurities or sins can keep us from doing what he believes we can do. What are some things that keep you from fulfilling your potential? How can you change that?
12. Read the story of the birth of Jesus, Matthew 1:18-25, but focus on Joseph. God knew the heart of Joseph. Joseph had every right in that culture to have Mary punished for being pregnant before they were married. It was a disgrace to him as a man. This could have ranged from death to banning her from the city. However, God chose him as Mary’s husband because he knew his heart was kind and that he would rise to the occasion to follow God. What keeps you from this?
13. Read 2 Timothy 1:6-7. God knows your spirit and talents because he gave them to you.
Take a minute and pray a prayer of thanks, because God loves you enough to know you.