Devotional for the day

The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

In my relationships with persons I have found that it does not help, in the long run, to act as though I were something that I am not.

- Carl Rogers

Good call, Carl. If you're reading this and you didn't know that- believe me, it is absolutely true. Oh yeah, hiding your true self and playing someone else may work in the short run, but one day you will be found out- then the whole foundation of your relationship crumples like burnt paper in your hands.

So lesson number one is be yourself...(exception: obviously if deep down you are a selfish, prideful, backstabbing, social ladder climber- maybe you shouldn't be yourself). I guess my point is you should be the person God made you to be, not the person the devil is trying to mold you into.

Which brings up lesson number two: be yourself especially in your relationship with God.

News flash: He is the Creator...as in: He created you. He knows you inside and out. Nobody said it better than the man after God's own heart: King David -

O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away.

You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know!

I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night--but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it.

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable!

I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up in the morning, you are still with me! (Psalm 139:1-18)

Wow! Basically what David is telling us here is that to try and hide yourself from God is absolutely idiotic. Were we thinking that we could surprise God? Is there any thought, action, or attitude that we can shield from an all-knowing, all-seeing God?

To some this might be a terrifying thought, but to the believer this should be wonderful news! Think about it: Jesus knows everything you have ever done, are doing and will do- and yet He's crazy about you! He blows away Santa in the "He knows when you've been_______" category; still He showers us with unbelievable gifts everyday of the year.

So this week, try going to your Savior and opening up like never before. Pour out your heart. Tell Him about your weaknesses, failures, and shortcomings- because it's not like He didn't know already. If you do this on a consistent basis, it will have an amazing impact on your relationship with Christ.

One more thing- how did the knowledge of God's knowledge affect David?

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalm 139:23-24)

Let's keep it real, and may this be our prayer as well..