God knows you. That’s right, you!

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

“Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Matt 6:6-8 NIV

Wow, did you see that? If not, go back and read it again.

Did you see it this time? There are two amazing truths in those verses that make me feel special and loved.

Number one:  God sees what is done in secret. Usually when you say those words, people shrink down into themselves and glance around, looking for the giant eye in the sky that is spying on them. Like they’re ashamed.

But there’s no need for that, not if we’re forgiven. In this verse, God is watching all the good things we do in secret. In other words, He is paying attention.

Doesn’t that make you smile? He notices the small things: that time you bit your tongue so that you didn’t lash out; when you cooked a meal for an ill mother; when you were honest about your mistake at work. And He hears every quiet word you say to Him.

He sees. He knows. He smiles. And He will reward (not that reward should really be our motivation, but still… it’s nice).

Number two: “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him”. Just let that sink in for a minute.

Don’t cheat. A whole minute.

He knows what you need before you even ask Him.

Does your best friend or your spouse know what you need before you tell them? Sometimes they might be lucky enough to guess. But know? And those are the most intimate human relationships in existence!

God is even better than that.

He knows you. He knows you really, really well.

God and Us. Friends? Acquaintances? Enemies? Lovers?

When you picture your relationship with God, what do you see?

That question was not rhetorical. Stop reading. Think about it.

Is he a bully? A sour-faced judge? A school principal? An absent parent? Or is he even paying attention to you at all?

Many people think that Christianity is just a ticket to heaven, and maybe following some rules. That’s what the Bible says, isn’t it?

Isn’t it?

Maybe, just maybe, he actually wants a personal, intimate relationship with you. One where you can talk with each other. One where you know one another. One where you can’t live without one another. One where you’re totally consumed.

Does this sound a little unrealistic? Or even irreverent?

Let’s have an honest look at the Bible together and see what kind of relationship God wants to have with us.