Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
"Comfort in Being Known"
July 15, 2020
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
I don't know if you've ever thought of it this way, or if I'm just strange, but there is comfort in a hospital gown. There is comfort in having someone official examine you and say, "Yes, those weird feelings you have aren't right, we need to do some testing." Though you may be terrified at the same time, at least you're no longer in the land of "What if" and "Should I see someone?" and "Maybe I'm just imagining things" and "Nobody knows." Now you are in the hands of people who know more than you about how you're put together, and the doctors are going to do whatever they can to make you better. You are known.
In the same way there is comfort in being known by God—totally known, totally visible to the One who searches hearts and minds. Oh, there's terror, too, especially if we carry guilt or shame that hasn't been dealt with yet. But there's comfort—because at last we can relax into the hands of the One who knows us better than anyone, the One who will never be fooled or make a false diagnosis. He knows what is wrong, even when we don't. He is capable of fixing it. And in spite of everything, He receives us—welcomes us—loves us—takes us to Himself.
That last is the most important, isn't it? It's incredibly painful to be exposed to someone who does not care about you—to someone who might mock you or reject you or blame you. We've all had those experiences, and some of us are so deeply scarred by them that we refuse to visit another doctor or speak to a pastor or talk to that family member. We go unknown and uncared for, because we are afraid.
But with the Lord, we need never go uncared for. He is gentle and kind, and He does not upbraid us, even when we know that our problems are 100 percent our own fault. As Isaiah says, "a bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench" (Isaiah 42:3a). Jesus is the one Person who can truly promise us, "Whoever comes to Me I will never cast out" (John 6:37b).
So we can feel safe when we are fully known by God, because He will never use that against us. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, we who trust in Him have become God's own children. He has brought us to trust in Him so that we can be healed and made well. And we have the promise that the Holy Spirit prays for us, including all those needs that are so deep we don't know enough to pray for ourselves. There is comfort here for all of us who suffer and long to be known by Someone who loves us.
THE PRAYER: Lord, help me to relax in Your love and be glad that You know me. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
1. When you were a child, were you ever teased or rejected by others?This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
2. Who knows you best in your life and loves you?
3. What little things do you do to help others see that you are a safe person who will love them even when you know them?
When you were a child, were you ever teased or rejected by others?
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