Deepening Trust Through Knowledge of God
Summary
### Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound relationship between knowledge and trust, using the analogy of "The Newlywed Game" to illustrate how knowing someone deeply fosters trust. This concept was then applied to our relationship with God, emphasizing that our trust in Him is directly proportional to our knowledge of Him. David's Psalms were highlighted as a testament to this truth, showing how his deep understanding of God's nature led to unwavering trust.
David's Psalm reveals four key attributes of God: His omniscience (all-knowing), omnipresence (ever-present), omnipotence (all-powerful), and omnibenevolence (all-loving). David begins by acknowledging God's intimate knowledge of him, recognizing that God knows every detail of his life, even his thoughts before he thinks them. This knowledge is both comforting and convicting, as it means God is aware of our deepest secrets and our best efforts.
Next, David reflects on God's omnipresence, affirming that there is no place where God is not present. Whether in the heights of heaven or the depths of Sheol, God's presence is constant. This truth provides comfort in times of darkness and serves as a reminder that we are never hidden from God.
David then marvels at God's omnipotence, particularly in the context of creation. He praises God for the intricate and wonderful way He has made each of us, recognizing that even in our embryonic stages, God had a plan and purpose for our lives.
Finally, David is overwhelmed by God's omnibenevolence, His all-encompassing love. Despite knowing our deepest flaws and sins, God loves us with an everlasting love. This love is demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, offering us salvation and eternal life.
David's response to these truths is one of total surrender. He commits to trusting God's authority, justice, and sovereignty, and invites God to search his heart, reveal any wickedness, and lead him in the way everlasting. This call to surrender is extended to all, encouraging us to deepen our knowledge of God, trust Him fully, and allow His sanctifying work in our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Knowing God Deepens Trust: Our trust in God is directly related to how well we know Him. David's Psalms show that his deep understanding of God's nature led to unwavering trust. To truly trust God, we must continually seek to know Him more intimately through His Word and prayer. [03:38]
2. God's Omniscience is Comforting and Convicting: God's all-encompassing knowledge means He knows every detail of our lives, including our thoughts and actions. This truth is comforting because it assures us that God understands us completely, but it is also convicting as it reminds us that nothing is hidden from Him. [07:07]
3. God's Omnipresence Provides Assurance: There is no place where God is not present. Whether in the heights of joy or the depths of despair, God's presence is constant. This truth provides comfort in times of darkness and serves as a reminder that we are never alone. [14:57]
4. Marveling at God's Omnipotence in Creation: David praises God for the intricate and wonderful way He has made each of us. Recognizing that even in our embryonic stages, God had a plan and purpose for our lives, should lead us to worship and trust in His power and wisdom. [25:01]
5. God's Omnibenevolence Inspires Surrender: Despite knowing our deepest flaws and sins, God loves us with an everlasting love. This love, demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, calls us to surrender our lives to Him, trusting in His authority, justice, and sovereignty. [32:38]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:37] - How Well Do You Know Your Loved Ones?
[02:28] - Trust and Knowledge
[03:38] - Trusting God Through Knowing Him
[04:29] - Impact of Our View of God
[05:50] - David's Personal Relationship with God
[06:31] - God's Omniscience: All-Knowing
[07:07] - God's Knowledge is Immeasurable
[08:12] - God's Perfect Knowledge
[09:24] - God's Personal Knowledge of Us
[10:02] - God's Knowledge of Our Thoughts
[11:04] - Living in a World Without Secrets
[12:50] - God's Omniscience in Our Lives
[13:38] - God Knows Our Best and Worst
[14:08] - Trusting God with Our Worries and Wickedness
[14:57] - God's Omnipresence: Ever-Present
[16:04] - God's Presence in the Wilderness and Temple
[17:52] - God is Everywhere at Once
[18:47] - Death and Distance Can't Hide Us from God
[20:12] - Darkness Can't Hide Us from God
[21:15] - God Sees Us in Our Darkest Moments
[22:04] - God Sees Us Even in the Dark
[23:20] - Comfort and Conviction in God's Omnipresence
[24:28] - God's Omnipotence: All-Powerful
[25:42] - God's Power in Creation
[26:53] - God's Power in Our Creation
[27:59] - Marveling at God's Creation of Us
[29:18] - God's Plan and Purpose for Our Lives
[30:47] - Recognizing God's Power in Our Lives
[32:09] - God's Omnibenevolence: All-Loving
[33:12] - God's Precious Thoughts Toward Us
[34:15] - God's Love Demonstrated Through Christ
[35:11] - God's Unconditional Love
[35:53] - Surrendering to God's Authority and Justice
[37:57] - Surrendering to God's Sovereignty
[39:24] - Surrendering to God's Cleansing
[40:58] - Bowing to God's Immensity
[41:17] - Invitation to Surrender and Salvation
[43:07] - Continuing to Know and Trust God
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 139:1-24
2. Romans 5:8
3. John 3:16
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the four key attributes of God that David highlights in Psalm 139? ([05:50])
2. How does David describe God's knowledge of him in Psalm 139:1-6? ([06:31])
3. According to the sermon, what does David say about God's presence in verses 7-12 of Psalm 139? ([14:57])
4. How does David respond to the truths about God in Psalm 139:19-24? ([35:53])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does David's understanding of God's omniscience (all-knowing) impact his relationship with God? ([07:07])
2. What comfort and conviction can be found in the truth of God's omnipresence (ever-present)? ([14:57])
3. How does David's reflection on God's omnipotence (all-powerful) in creation lead him to worship? ([25:01])
4. In what ways does God's omnibenevolence (all-loving) inspire David to surrender to God? ([32:38])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own knowledge of God. How can you deepen your understanding of Him through His Word and prayer? ([03:38])
2. How does knowing that God is aware of every detail of your life, including your thoughts and actions, affect your daily living? ([07:07])
3. When have you felt comforted by the truth of God's omnipresence during a difficult time? How did it change your perspective? ([14:57])
4. Consider the intricate and wonderful way God has made you. How does this knowledge influence your self-worth and purpose? ([25:01])
5. Despite knowing your deepest flaws and sins, God loves you with an everlasting love. How does this truth impact your willingness to surrender to Him? ([32:38])
6. David invites God to search his heart and reveal any wickedness. Are you willing to make the same invitation to God? What steps can you take to allow His sanctifying work in your life? ([39:24])
7. How can you trust God more fully with your worries and anxieties, knowing that He sees and knows everything about you? ([38:34])
Devotional
### Day 1: Knowing God Deepens Trust
Our trust in God is directly related to how well we know Him. David's Psalms show that his deep understanding of God's nature led to unwavering trust. To truly trust God, we must continually seek to know Him more intimately through His Word and prayer. [03:38]
David's relationship with God was built on a foundation of deep knowledge and understanding. He didn't just know about God; he knew God personally and intimately. This profound relationship is evident in the Psalms, where David often reflects on God's attributes and actions. By meditating on God's Word and spending time in prayer, David cultivated a trust that was unshakeable, even in the face of immense trials and tribulations.
For us, this means that our trust in God will grow as we deepen our knowledge of Him. This isn't just about intellectual understanding but about experiencing God's presence and faithfulness in our daily lives. As we read the Bible, pray, and reflect on God's character, we will find our trust in Him becoming stronger and more resilient.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your knowledge of God through His Word and prayer?
### Day 2: God's Omniscience is Comforting and Convicting
God's all-encompassing knowledge means He knows every detail of our lives, including our thoughts and actions. This truth is comforting because it assures us that God understands us completely, but it is also convicting as it reminds us that nothing is hidden from Him. [07:07]
God's omniscience means that He knows everything about us—our thoughts, our actions, our fears, and our dreams. This can be incredibly comforting because it means that we are fully known and understood by our Creator. There is no need to hide or pretend with God; He sees us as we are and loves us deeply. This intimate knowledge assures us that God is always aware of our needs and is actively involved in our lives.
However, God's omniscience is also convicting. Knowing that God sees everything can make us more aware of our shortcomings and sins. It reminds us that we cannot hide anything from Him, and this awareness should lead us to repentance and a desire to live in a way that honors Him. God's perfect knowledge calls us to a higher standard of living, one that reflects His holiness and love.
Psalm 139:1-4 (ESV): "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether."
Reflection: How does knowing that God sees and understands every part of your life change the way you live today?
### Day 3: God's Omnipresence Provides Assurance
There is no place where God is not present. Whether in the heights of joy or the depths of despair, God's presence is constant. This truth provides comfort in times of darkness and serves as a reminder that we are never alone. [14:57]
God's omnipresence means that He is everywhere at all times. This is a profound truth that offers immense comfort and assurance. No matter where we are or what we are going through, God is with us. In moments of joy, He is there to celebrate with us. In times of sorrow and despair, He is there to comfort and support us. This constant presence means that we are never truly alone, even when we feel isolated or abandoned.
Understanding God's omnipresence can transform our perspective on life's challenges. It reminds us that God is always near, ready to guide, protect, and provide for us. This assurance can give us the strength to face difficult situations with confidence, knowing that God's presence is a constant source of support and encouragement.
Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV): "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded of God's constant presence today?
### Day 4: Marveling at God's Omnipotence in Creation
David praises God for the intricate and wonderful way He has made each of us. Recognizing that even in our embryonic stages, God had a plan and purpose for our lives, should lead us to worship and trust in His power and wisdom. [25:01]
God's omnipotence is displayed in the incredible complexity and beauty of creation. David marvels at how God has intricately and wonderfully made each of us, recognizing that even in our embryonic stages, God had a plan and purpose for our lives. This understanding should lead us to worship and trust in God's power and wisdom. The fact that God, in His infinite power, took the time to design each of us uniquely speaks to His love and care for us.
When we reflect on God's omnipotence, it should inspire awe and reverence. It reminds us that the same God who created the universe is intimately involved in our lives. This realization can strengthen our faith and trust in Him, knowing that He is capable of handling any situation we face. God's power is not just a distant, abstract concept; it is a personal and present reality that impacts our daily lives.
Isaiah 40:28-31 (ESV): "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: How does recognizing God's power in creation influence your trust in His plan and purpose for your life?
### Day 5: God's Omnibenevolence Inspires Surrender
Despite knowing our deepest flaws and sins, God loves us with an everlasting love. This love, demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, calls us to surrender our lives to Him, trusting in His authority, justice, and sovereignty. [32:38]
God's omnibenevolence, or all-encompassing love, is a central theme in the Bible. Despite knowing our deepest flaws and sins, God loves us with an everlasting love. This love is most clearly demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and offers us salvation and eternal life. Understanding the depth of God's love should lead us to surrender our lives to Him, trusting in His authority, justice, and sovereignty.
Surrendering to God's love means acknowledging that His ways are higher than our ways and that His plans for us are good. It involves letting go of our own desires and trusting that God's will is perfect. This act of surrender is not a one-time event but a daily commitment to live in obedience to God, allowing His love to transform and guide us. As we surrender to God's love, we experience the fullness of His grace and the peace that comes from knowing we are deeply loved and cared for by our Creator.
1 John 4:9-10 (ESV): "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "The truth is that the more that you know about someone, even trivial things like that, the more you know about someone, the more you trust them. I mean, even thinking about the person that you know the best. They're probably the person you trust the most. Or the person that knows you the most, you probably trust them the most. Because in order to truly trust someone, you have to know them." [02:28] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What we think and what we know about God will directly impact how we relate to God. What we know about him and what we think about God directly impacts how we relate to him. A.W. Tozer said it this way, Oh, what a person thinks about God is the most important thing about that person. And it's true. Because how you view God, what you know about God, will shape the way that you relate to him." [04:29] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God knows me and he still loves me. The big word for this one is omnibenevolence, if you want another big theological term. All loving. He is all loving to us. Even the evil within me and even the sin within me, the secret sins of me, God sees them and knows them and even in that, he loves me. His thoughts are precious toward me." [33:12] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Romans 5, 8 says, God demonstrates his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. John 3, 16, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. And when we accept that gift of love, that gift of salvation, we start to experience his love in all kinds of other ways." [34:15] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you're here today and you're not a Christian, you've never placed your faith in Jesus for salvation, then your first step of surrender to those truths is to recognize that God has revealed there is wickedness in you. He has made a way for you to be made right and be led into the way everlasting." [41:17] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "David says, God, I recognize something when I think about you and that's this. You know me personally in every way. You know me. But then secondly, he says this, God, you see me. Not only do you know me, you see me. Look at verses 7 through 12. He says, where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend into the heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there." [14:08] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God, you know me. You see me. You made me and you love me. Verse 17 and 18, he says, how precious also are your thoughts to me, O God. How great is the sum of them. If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awake, I am still with you." [32:38] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "David says this, God has a plan and a purpose for each of us even before we start to be formed. Those last parts when he says, as you were forming me, fashioning me, and making me, and knitting my DNA together, you were doing so with purpose, knowing what would unfold in my lifetime. That's what he's saying when he says the days, it was in your book written in the day's fashion for me when as yet they were none of them." [30:18] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "David says, I don't even know everything in my heart, but God, you do, so can you show it to me and lead me in the way everlasting? He knew God so well that it brought him to a point to say, I trust you in all of it. I surrender to your authority, I surrender to your sovereignty, I surrender to your cleansing." [43:54] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God, because of who you are, that you are omniscient, that you are omnipresent, that you are omnipotent, that you are omnibenevolent. God, that you know me, you see me, you made me, and you love me. This is what I'll do. I surrender to you. I trust you. I surrender." [40:08] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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