Read: Psalm 139:1-18
I don't know her nor is it likely that I will ever meet her, but I would like to say a thank you to Kelly Carlin. She is the daughter of the controversial comedian George Carlin, and the words she posted on X really resonated with me. May I explain? This week, an AI-generated performance of Kelly Carlin's father was shown. Although Mr. Carlin died in 2008, this week's "performance" called "I'm glad I'm dead" had him dealing with the news of the day. Here, in her own words, is Kelly Carlin's reaction:
"My dad spent a lifetime perfecting his craft from his very human life, brain and imagination. No machine will ever replace his genius. These AI generated products are clever attempts at trying to recreate a mind that will never exist again. Let’s let the artist’s work speak for itself. Humans are so afraid of the void that we can’t let what has fallen into it stay there. Here’s an idea, how about we give some actual living human comedians a listen to?" she continued. "But if you want to listen to the genuine George Carlin, he has 14 specials that you can find anywhere."
Oh, I appreciated Kelly Carlin's sentiments because they remind me of precious truth from the Bible, specifically Psalm 139:1-18. What a difference there is between AI-generated so-called knowledge and the immeasurable wisdom and knowledge of our Almighty God, Romans 11:33-36. How amazing it is to know that this Creator/Redeemer truly knows us, Psalm 139:1-18. The beauty of the truths stated in this psalm written by David is evident in the very first verse. Here we are told that the Lord God has searched and known us. Sometimes we think of being known as a lovely thing and at other times, we cringe at the thought.
We know from what the Bible says that along with the Lord's knowledge of us, there is also His wonderful love lavished upon us who are His children, John 1:11-12;1 John 3:1. Therefore the all-encompassing knowledge God has concerning us causes us to revere Him and stand in awe of Him. His knowledge does not make us run in terror. There is an exception, but more about that later.
Psalm 139 reminds us of the details God knows. Little things we have forgotten. Minutia that even our precious ones don't know. For example, God knows the name of the gym teacher who went out of her way to make me feel included when the class was playing a game I couldn't play. He knows what kind of little stuffed animal I took to college and subsequently lost. He knows the song that brought peace to me when I was a tiny girl and heard its simple truth about Him. Even though He hadn't yet made Himself known to me. He knows what will make me smile and what will bring tears to my eyes. He knows all of the times I have fallen short. Yet, He never treats me with contempt because of that knowledge, nor does He condemn me, Romans 8:1. He knows how I tried to hide in the back of the line when it was time to play kick ball even before I knew He saw me trying to blend into someone else's shadow.
Why bring up such small things from one life? Because I am not unique. God has this incredible knowledge about each person. From when we are aware of ourselves, we long for someone to see us. To watch and clap for us. Oh, that more and more people would know that there is One Who sees us. He revealed Himself to Hagar as the Living One Who Sees me, Genesis 16:7-14. She wasn't seeking Him, but verse 7 of Genesis 16 says that the Angel of the LORD found her. The One Who truly knew her was the One Who sought her and made Himself known to her.
In verses 13-18 of Psalm 139, the wonders of God's wisdom continue to amaze us. Here is where we are reminded that God oversaw our development in our mothers' wombs. That truth stands whether we were planned and wanted or not.
Decades ago, I knew a mom who regularly told her two children that she wished they hadn't been born. Oh, that they could have known, and if only that mom had also known that there was a God Who put them together with purpose. That He skillfully watched over the traits that they would think were wonderful and even those that they might have wished were not a part of their makeup, Exodus 4:11.
The psalm doesn't stop with God's wondrous designing. In Psalm 139:17-18, we are also reminded that God Almighty doesn't simply create us with purpose and then stand back to see what we will become. No, He wants us to know that He thinks about us.
Doesn't everyone like to know that someone is thinking of him? Stevie Wonder had a hit with that thought. The song had a simple truth. "I Just Called To Say I Love You."
God wants us to know that He has a vast number of thoughts toward us. As many as the grains of sand. The One Who truly lacks no knowledge of us is thinking of us.
However, though the Lord knows the details of each life, and that is precious truth, the Bible warns that there is a way that He knows those who belong to Him that is different than the knowledge He has about everyone, Galatians 4:9;2 Timothy 2:19; Nahum 1:7; Matthew 7:21-23. These verses speak of the relationship the Shepherd has with His own sheep, John 10:14. It speaks of those Who are known in the sense of belonging to the Savior because we have trusted in Him to give us new birth, John 3:3. That is when we know that we are truly known.
Back to the exception noted above concerning who would cringe in terror concerning God's knowledge of his life? Sadly, there are people-so many people-who will experience this terror. Those who say no to Jesus' offer of forgiveness or don't care to deal with Him at all. For these people Whom Jesus loves, there will be terror, Revelation 20:11-15.
It is our prayer that anyone who might read this devotion never hear the words of Jesus found in Matthew 7:23. Lord, thank You for Your wondrous knowledge and love for Your children. Please continue to make Yourself known to those who don't yet belong to Your family.
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