Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. – Isaiah 40:28 NIV
Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. – Luke 2:47 NIV
One of the deepest longings we have as human beings is to be understood. If someone truly understands us—who we are deep inside, why we act and react the way we do—and remains in our lives, we know that person loves us, warts and all.
I’ve been blessed to have such persons in my life.
First there were my parents, who understood me a lot better than I thought they did. They watched me as I matured, had a hand in developing who I became, and saw parts of themselves in me.
Then there was my godmother, my precious Aunt Betty, who understood me better than my own mother did. While Mom gave me practical birthday gifts, Aunt Betty gave me the girly things I longed for.
Then there’s my husband, whose understanding of me has grown with time. He’s seen me frantic, worried, angry, afraid, anxious, joyful—the gamut of emotions. How blessed I am that he’s hung around all these years. He understands me through and through—and loves me still.
Then there’s my friend Sharon, who understands me because we share both a sisterhood in our womanhood and a common bond as believers. She understands me because we’ve spent time together, and she’s listened to me with not only her ears but also with her heart. She understands me because I’ve trusted her enough to let down my guard and allow her to see me as I really am.
But there’s Someone who understands me even better than anyone, even better than I understand myself—my heavenly Father, my Creator.
Psalm 139, one of my favorite portions of Scripture, plumbs the depths of God’s loving understanding of each of us. You are not a nameless face in the mass of humanity. You are His child, uniquely created, intensely loved, and thoroughly understood.
He knows you better than you know yourself. He knows when you come and when you go, when you sit, when you lie down, and when you rise. He knows what you think and what you’re going to say before you even say it (vv. 1–3).
No matter where you go, He is with you, ready to guide you when you need direction and ready to hold you fast when you need stability and security. And when you’re scared of the dark, His eyes pierce the darkness—for darkness is as light to Him (vv. 5–12).
He saw you before you were born (vv. 15–16). He shaped you inside and out. Body and soul, you are marvelously made (vv. 3–4, The Message).
Each day of your life had a plan and a purpose even before you took your first breath (v. 16).
He thinks about you constantly—so much you cannot even begin to fathom how much (vv. 17–18).
So the next time you’re feeling misunderstood, when you think no one could possibly understand you, remember the One who created you and, more than anyone else, knows you, understands you, and loves you, warts and all.
Abba Father, how awesome to be understood and loved like You understand and love me! Amen.
Special-Tea: Read Psalm 139
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