We Are Known Completely

“We Are KNOWN Completely” ~ Psalm 139: 1-18

January 19, 2003

Purpose: Since we are “known” we don’t have to perform for God. He knows our faults as well as our merits, so we are free to be the people He’s created us to be.

Introduction – Sebastian Kresge started a five and dime in 1899 and it grew – people came to his store for good prices on decent products – his idea of a “blue-light” special reinvigorated the retail industry…at it height thousands upon thousands of stores serving millions and millions of people…

But then, something happened…something happened. Some claim it was do to increased competition – another company started by a young man named Sam Walton was giving Kresge’s stores a run for their money. Still some claim Kresge’s stores just built too much too fast…by over-expanding they found themselves deep in debt.

But today, I’ll tell you why the once mighty Kmart, the eventual product of Kresge’s five and dime, is in bankruptcy today, and its actually a simple reason…they forgot what they were known for.

Instead of continuing to offer great prices on decent products…they began to compete with the Targets and the Meijers in quality merchandise beyond their customers reach, while on the other end facing the low-pricing of Sam Walton’s creation, Walmart, at every turn. (When Kmart announced they were bringing back the blue-light special and lowering prices throughout the store, then I knew they were doomed. If Kmart has too announce that they have lowered prices, then they’ve lost their identity.)

Soon, being pulled at both ends, Kmart finds itself with the agony of closing stores and firing workers because instead of continuing as they were “known” they tried to change…and failed.

Why do I tell you this story?…because we are “known” too! God knows us. But often we try to be someone different than the way we are known. And if we continue to be something that God knows we aren’t, we are going to end up in a spiritual bankruptcy where God has planned so much more.

How does God know us?

First, the Psalmist says we have been searched out….

Scripture is “God’s search for man” not “man’s search for God.”

Luke 15 talks of the woman’s coin that was lost, the sheepherder who left to find the sheep that went astray, and finally of the prodigal son that lost his

identity, but eventually returned.

God, as our father, searches for us, like we lost kids.

Parents…have you ever lost your child…that intensity is felt within the heart of God.

Verses 1-5 tell us that God knows when we sit and when we stand, every thought in our heads, our times of living out the journey and our times of needed

rest. Everything we think, do, and experience, God’s acquainted with. In fact, God knows what we’re going to say even before we say it.

My study Bible says that “God is active to search and test His servants. In short,He knows His servants completely.”

I don’t know about you but this sounds a little intrepedating…I mean the supreme creator, redeemer, and sustainer knowing everything about me at every

point in my life leaves me a little nervous (Amen?)…

But it’s verse five that brings some comfort…God searches us out so that he may protect us as we move forward, as well as “have our backs” from those

things that threaten us from behind.

We are known completely because we have been searched out by a gracious and loving God…

Second, it’s comforting to know that no matter where we run, no matter what situations may face us, no matter what dilemmas come our way…we are known because

there’s no place to hide…no place to hide because wherever we go God is there.

Adam and Eve tried to hide, but God found them.

Jonah tried to hide, but God tracked him down.

The young servant hid his master’s talent, because he lacked faith,but he was called to task because God knew his heart.The scribes, Pharisees, and Sadduccess hid behind their Law,but Jesus challenged their hearts with the truth and some were found.The disciples sat hidden in the upper room after Jesus’ death,only to be greeted by the risen Lord himself.And one of them present, Peter hid after denying he knew Jesus three times,but the risen Christ found Peter and asked simply, “Do you love me?”

We can run, but we can’t hide…God knows.If we flee, God is there.

David said…

If I ascend into heaven, You are there.

If I make my bed in hell, You are there also.

If I take wings…you are there.

If I dwell in the sea…you are there.

"Darkness and light are the same" David said, “just because You are there.”

v. 10 tells us why…”Even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”