for he knows how we are formed; he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:14, NIV

 

Isn’t there something comforting and reassuring about being known? It’s an affirmation and validation of our being. As humans, aware of our faults and flaws, being accepted for who we are is important to every one of us.

 

This is something that God excels in. He knit us together in our mothers’ womb (Psalm 139:13), and knows us intimately, better than anyone else ever will. Because God loves us, he provides for us regardless of whether we feel worthy of his love or not. I love knowing that God knows me exactly as I am and that there is nothing hidden from him.

 

The beautiful Psalm 103, in praise of God in his holiness and grandeur, overflows with the benefits his people receive from him through his love and compassion spelt out line by line by the psalmist as he describes each of God’s qualities.

 

Then, in three short lines, he describes the object of God’s love and attention – man – formed from the dust: “The life of mortals is like grass, they flourishs like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.” (Psalm 103:15-16) And yet, we are so precious to God that he “redeems [our] life from the pit… crowns [us] with love and compassion …” and “satisfies [our] desires with good things so that [our] youth is renewed like the eagle’s”. (Psalm 103:4-5) And, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us”. (Psalm 103:12)

 

Although God gives us so much, he doesn’t expect more from us than we can give; however, he woos us and, as we respond, he will take us out of our comfort zone to teach us to trust him, and to show us that nothing is impossible with him by our side. Because God knows what we are made of he knows our limitations and stands with us through our trials.

 

The Bible is full of ordinary human beings, like us, who did extraordinary things for God because they stepped out in faith from their comfort zone when he called them and led them each step of the way. Think of Moses, so humble, fearful even of speaking to Pharaoh, yet, trusting God, leading 600 000 people out of Egypt and in the wilderness for forty years.

 

Or Gideon, a fearful, cautious man with low self-esteem whose response to the Lord’s instruction of: “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” was, “Pardon me, my lord, but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:14-15) But Gideon went from unbelief into victory as, cautiously following God’s instructions, he beat the Midianites – with three hundred men!

 

God was not deterred by either Moses’ or Gideon’s reticence and honest response to him because he knew and understood their makeup; nor is he daunted by ours. God equips those he calls and only asks for us to trust him.

 

Prayer: Father God, thank you that you know and love us as we are and call us to serve you in your kingdom. Help me to respond by faith, trusting in your unfailing love. Amen