Too well do I know my lack of godly qualities. If you were in my company for any length of time, you would no doubt agree with my assessment, having observed less than sterling attitudes and actions. However, since in quite limited ways are you able to examine my soul and mind—my very thoughts and intents—it is next to impossible for you to know me as I know myself. While I am fearfully in touch with my own struggles, my doubts and failures, it brings me no joy to acknowledge such shortcomings.
It’s good for me to say these things, though. And, it’s good for you to hear of my sad state, for while every man and woman struggles—indeed sins—satan would have all of us believe we are the only ones who with such regularity and skill falter and fail. He smears guilt on our psyche and gloatingly sneers, “God can’t love you. You won’t be saved. You’re bound for hell. Look at you. You’re nothing but a sinner.” Not at all is this true.
This morning I want to remind you that God knows—really knows—us. And despite His knowledge of every secret sin, He continues to love us, His mercy still flows, His grace abounds. Oh, happy thought, blessed thought; comfort divine.
David had a unique understanding of this truth—David, the “man after God’s own heart,” David, the king who committed unspeakable sin. In his 103rd Psalm, verses 13-14, moved by the Holy Ghost, David eloquently writes:
“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.”
Oh, my God, how beautiful, how glorious! God knows us, looks on us fondly, even pities us. He understands our frame, recalls that of mere dust has been made lowly man. You?…yep! You’re just dust…and I?…the same…muddy, shaky, a pitiful frame.
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Reposted from Feb. 2, 2006
God Things 
That was beautiful, Sis. Buxton. I’m thankful that God knows my heart, for therein lies the truth of what I really am. He knows, as He looks at my heart, that I am trying, and He respects that and helps me.
Last night in P.A.S.T.O.R.’S. Course, our Pastor talked about us never really reaching a state of “perfection” as long as we are on this earth. But, when the trumpet sounds and we are raptured to meet the Lord in the air, we will be changed to be like Him. Only then will we be perfect. But, I strive for the “mark” every day.
Love you! God bless your day.
Thank you, Shirley, for the wonderful reminder of just who we are: “muddy, shaky and pitiful,” yet wondrously wrought in bodies made to house the very Spirit of God. Oh, how we should strive to please Him, Who knew us even before we were born.
Tena, I have heard more than one pastor say in reference to someone saying they were glad that God knows their heart: “That scares me to death.”
Now, while I understand a bit of what they are saying, and this surely is not a rebuke to any of them, I’m with you in being glad God knows my heart, for even though I don’t live up to my righteous ambitions, within my heart, I believe I have a sincere desire to please God.
Caution is admonished, though, for Jeremiah 17:9 says, “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
Only through His Spirit can we begin to analyze our very souls. These are serious considerations and I for one, do not take them lightly.
Good morning, Helen.
Often I think of God knowing me before I was ever born, and it forever gives me a chill of love and awe for such a one as God.
Next Tuesday, a new baby girl will be born to our family, and already we know her name to be Ella-Claire. Already, we anticipate her and love her. On such a greater scale of love and care, surely, is God who formed us in the belly of our mothers, and knew our names, and that one day we would serve Him.
Awesome!
Knowing my state and how I struggle, the words in Psalms that state “David was a man after God’s own heart” gives me great hope. Knowing all the things David did and yet God forgave him and he forgives us. Daily we must repent and begin anew; everyday is a new beginning. Take up our cross and follow him. There are so many verses to give us hope that even though we are dust, pittiful and muddy, He loves us and has paid the unltimate price for us. How much greater a love is there than that. Even though I am not perfect–He has a plan for me and I am amazed at His great love for me.
God Bless you Sister Buxton!!
Eva, the depth of His love for us, despite our lowly state, defies comprehension.
Let peace abide in you today.
Yes. Our Pastor talked about that scripture, too, about our heart being deceitful. That is why every day, sometimes more than once, I ask the Lord to create in me a clean heart and renew in me a right spirit. I also want my *mind* as well as my heart of be pure. I pray for the MIND OF CHRIST often.
Maybe what I mean by, God sees our heart and knows we are trying, is that God sees our actions toward Him and His Kingdom, i. e., prayer, Bible reading, fasting, going to church, witnessing, etc. If we didn’t have action then God would think we didn’t care about Him. What do you think about that?
Although the story of David has so much tragedy, I love to hear it. His story brings hope to the hopeless. I feel humbled knowing God even considers me for His kingdom.
Great post, Sis. Buxton. I too am thankful for God’s wonderful mercy and grace upon this shaky, muddy frame.
Tena, my dear, I’m with you on this. I think when God looks at my heart, He sees someone who is seeking after Him, and He loves me for that. And although we can’t “buy” our way to Him, He surely notes our efforts in Scripture reading, prayer, witnessing, etc.
Hang on! We’re going to make it!
Jana, the story of David is surely one of the most beautiful in the Bible. You’ve probably heard the exchange:
“I’ve never sinned like David did.”
“No, and you have never prayed, nor have you written Psalms as did David.”
Carol, never will we understand His love and mercy.
What an encouragement this post was to me!
Stephanie, I am so glad. Stay encouraged, stay upbeat, stay in touch with Jesus.
Was it not said of David that he “encouraged himself in the Lord.” It helps when we can encourage each other; sometimes through a word, or a smile or a song…or even a blog. 🙂
Other times, though, we must reach into the depth of our souls and encourage ourselves.
Bless you for being here.
This is one of my favorite choruses:
Lord, you make your mercy new every day. You change my life in so many ways. You shelter me in your embrace. You fill me yeah! Yesterday, today forevermore, there’s one thing I know for sure; fresh as the morning dew–you make your mercy new, every morning!
What greater way to face a morning, Ronda, than knowing we have a fresh batch of mercy!
How I want to awaken with a clean heart, a new heart, a new prayer that I know I sin and won’t repeat the same one over and over again….How I want that.
Donna, we must keep striving, keep plugging and keep leaning on Jesus. It just is impossible to avoid sin without the mercy and grace of Jesus. You understand that, I do.
We live in the flesh–can’t avoid that, for we are of the earth, earthy–and our flesh is at enmity with God.
Thanks so much for coming by and especially for your comments.