By David ReayMonday 30 Mar 2015LifeWords DevotionalsCultureReading Time: 0 minutes
Transcript:
Read Psalm 139:1-6
1 O Lord,you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it,Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand! (NLT)
In George Orwell’s novel 1984,there is a fearsome character called ‘Big Brother’. He is the all-powerful authority figure who sees all,knows all. His will cannot be defied. He is utterly unapproachable. In fact we are left to wonder if any such individual exists. In any case,his supposed existence is meant to both terrify his subjects and cow them into submission.
So when we come to read our text today we may liken God to such a figure. He knows everything and sees everything. His authority is absolute. But there is no real comparison. Our God truly exists. He may be all-powerful but he doesn’t force us into complying with his commands: he gives us freedom. His holiness is meant to cause us to respect and honour him rather than be terrified of him.
This God who knows me through and through loves me through and through. This God who knows the deepest and darkest recesses of my heart embraces me with his grace. This God who has supreme power exercises that power so that his human creation can thrive not be kept in terrified servitude.
In other words,our heavenly father is no big brother.
Blessings
David Reay