A Brief Meditation for the Month

July 2018

In the addresses to the seven churches in Asia, in the chapters two and three of the book of Revelation, we observe the repetition of the words, “I know thy works.” The glorified redeemer reminds them that he is aware of the prevailing condition and activity in each one of them. Christ’s knowledge is not like our finite and limited knowledge. His knowledge is infinite and perfect. It cannot be improved upon. Being God, as he is, he knows the end of a matter from the beginning. When the Saviour therefore states, “I know,” we can be confident that no one else can possibly know so much about any situation, or circumstances, as He does.

In the same way, and to the same extent, to which the glorified head of the Church has a perfect knowledge of everything that concerns his Church collectively, so he also knows all that concerns his individual people. In moments of crisis or prolonged difficulties, the child of God may indeed think and speak like the Psalmist: “How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord?” (Psalm 13:1). The devil tempts God’s dear children at times to think that God has forgotten them, leaving them to cope with problems and carry their heavy burdens all alone. They may even conclude that God, either doesn’t know, or He doesn’t care, about their condition or circumstances. How very wrong such thoughts are. The apostle Peter advised Christians in his own generation with the words, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1Peter 5:7). Peter believed that God not only cares but is willing to take responsibility for the burdens and concerns of his dear people. Often the real problem is one of unwillingness on our part, to be humble enough to cast our cares upon him and commit our concerns fully to him. In our sinful pride, we determine to deal with our own difficulties and solve our own problems; yes, even although God’s word instructs us, “Cast thy burden (what he hath assigned thee) upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.” (Psalm 55:22).

Oftentimes, we fail to appreciate that it is those who feel themselves to be poor and needy, among his people, whom God is compassionately interested in. One such testifies, “I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me.” (Psalm 40:17). The Psalmist was conscious that God was aware of his condition, but also of the fact that the great, eternal, infinite, perfect, mind of God, was functioning and actively engaged in thinking upon him, in his need. He had the conviction—God knows, even when I neither know, nor understand. His mind is fixed on me, while he thinks on my behalf, even when I am so overwhelmed that I cannot think for myself. How wonderful it is when the afflicted and troubled child of God is brought to feel with heart conviction, that God knows, and God truly cares. When Christ Jesus in tenderness draws near, and says, “I know,” what peace comes into the anxious soul. Because he knows so perfectly, he understands perfectly. We do not need to explain everything to him. He knows so much better than we do. What compassion and love are in the words of the Saviour when he comes and says to his troubled weary child, “I know.” It is only our unbelief that refuses to trust him and thus robs us of peace. Even if no one else knows, he knows. If no one else cares, he really does. What a saviour, anxious child of God, you have in Christ Jesus! What a friend in time of need! You will never find yourself in any situation when he will say to you, “I don’t know.” Rest assured, he will always know, and will always understand.

G. G. Hutton.