God Knows.

This morning, I came across a verse from the Bible that I had written down awhile ago, and it led me to this post. I know I need to be reminded of it, and probably you do too.

 

There is no one holy like the Lord;

there is no one besides You;

there is no Rock like our God.

Do not keep talking so proudly

or let your mouth speak of arrogance,

for the Lord is a God who knows,

and by Him deeds are weighed.

 - 1 Samuel 2:2-3

 

FOR THE LORD IS A GOD WHO KNOWS. That really spoke to me. For the past few weeks, I've been in the decluttering mode, and have been cleaning out cupboards, drawers, closets, etc. of things that I've hung onto for years and years, thinking that I would use them again. But now I no longer have a purpose for them since life has moved on. As it turned out, I had forgotten that I even had these things. They were only taking up much needed space, which kept me from storing other things that I need to use often.

 

It makes me wonder how much "stuff" we have hidden in our hearts and minds that are cluttering up our lives. Some people call it "baggage". Old thoughts and attitudes. Old grudges. Old assumptions that are no longer relevant. Unforgiveness. Old grievances and hurts.

 

These things can hinder us from fulfilling the purpose God has for us. It can slow us down and distract us from our focus of following Christ. We can purposely strive to serve God and have good intentions. But things that we have hidden and buried from our past can negatively affect our efforts, and they resurface from time to time. How can we counter this?

 

God already knows what lies deep inside of us. He sees what others are unable to. He knows what we try to hide from others, and sometimes even ourselves. The enemy, Satan, loves to tell us that we don't have perfect lives, and tries to convince us that we are incapable of being the strong Christians we desire to be. He wants to bring up our weaknesses, to discourage us.

 

Fortunately, God is greater and stronger and fully able to cleanse us from these things. After all, He created us in His image and calls each one of us to do awesome things for Him. All we have to do is acknowledge that we need Him. When we come to Him and ask Him to cleanse us, He is able to remove all these strongholds and replace them with His own holiness. By asking Him to cleanse our hearts and renew our minds, we receive His Power to equip us to do all that He calls us to do, for His glory! He promises to always be with us and to help us.

 

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love;

according to Your great compassion blot out all my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Cleanse me with hyssop,  and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

- Psalm 51:1-2,7-8,10,12

 

 

We need to meditate on His Word and His promises. Allow Him to replace the old, negative thoughts and attitudes with His Truth.

 

Whatever is true, whatever is noble,

whatever is right, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -

think about such things.

And the God of peace will be with you.

- Philippians 4:8-9

 

Yes, God knows what we have stored inside of us. Let Him clean out all the old, useless stuff, and replace it with His stuff. Then your journey with Him will be fulfilling and successful! The way God intends it to be!