Monday, October 22, 2007

Attributes of God, Part 2: God's Knowledge


God is Ominscient. He knows everything: Everything possible, everything actual; all events and all creatures, of the past, the present, and the future. He is perfectly acquainted with every detail in every life of every being in heaven, in earth, and in hell. "He knoweth what is in the darkness" (Dan. 2:22). Nothing escapes His notice, nothing can be hidden frm Him, nothing is forgotten by Him. Well may we say with the Psalmist, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain unto it (Psa. 139:6). His knowledge is perfect. He never errs, never changes, never overlooks anything. "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do" (Heb. 4:13). Yes, such is the God "with whom we have to do"!

The infinite knowledge of God should fill us with Amazement. How far exalted above the wisest man is the Lord! None us knows what a day may bring forth, but all futurity is open to His omniscient gaze. The infinite knowledge of God ought to fill us with holy Awe. Nothing we do, say, or even think, escapes the cognizance of Him with whom we have to do: "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good" (Prov. 15:3) What a curb this would be unto us, did we meditate upon it more frequently! . . . The apprehension of God's infinite knowledge should fill the Christian with Adoration. The whole of my life stood open to His view from the beginning. He foresaw my every fall, my every sin, my every backsliding; yet nevertheless, fixed his heart upon me. Oh, how the realization of this should bow me in wonder and worship before Him.

A.W. Pink, The Attributes of God

1 comment:

Helen said...

I am not sure how many times we have used Pink's book as part of our family devotions. I think you can read it over and over and still not grasp the depth of all he is saying.

Another part of the chapter I really appreciate is,

"Here is encouragement to prayer. There is no cause for fearing that the petitions of the righteous will not be heard, or that their sighs and tears shall escape the notice of God, since He knows the thoughts and intents of the heart. There is no danger of the individual saint being overlooked amidst the multitude of supplicants who daily and hourly present their various petitions, for an infinite Mind is as capable as paying the same attention to millions as if only one individual were seeking its attention. So too the lack of appropriate language, the inability to give expression to the deepest longing of the soul, will not jeopardize our prayers, for "It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear" (Isa. 65:24)."

Encouraging!
Helen