The Lord Knows You

Do you ever feel like nobody really understands your hardships, nobody knows all the good things that you have done, and nobody really knows your heart? Sometimes I feel like nobody really knows about all my good deeds, my struggles with sin, and how hard I work to be obedient to the Lord. But the Word tells us that God knows everything. He knows all of our good deeds, how hard we work, our hardships, and he knows all the times we have fallen.

Today we are going to take a look at some verses in Revelation. Revelation was written by Apostle John in about 95 A.D. At the time John is writing to the seven churches in the province of Asia to encourage the faithful, and to inform them that a final showdown between God and Satan is imminent. Although his writings are to the seven churches in Asia, the message is there for us.

Revelation 1:10 says "On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."

Take note that John tells us "I was in the Spirit". Friends, let me remind you that we don't need to be an apostle or a pastor to be in the Spirit and hear the voice of God. As obedient Christians, we are required to ask the Lord to fill us with His spirit, and to open the eyes and ears of our heart to Him. Then we are called to Love, Trust, and Follow Him.

In Revelation Chapters 2-3 we are reminded seven times that the Lord knows us. Throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, the number seven appears repeatedly and is considered a symbol of divine perfection. As John writes to the seven churches of Asia we are reminded that nothing is hidden from God. To the church in Ephesus John writes "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance." (2:2) To the church in Smyrna he writes "I know your afflictions and your poverty." (2:9) To the church in Pergamum he writes "I know where you live - where Satan has his throne". (2:13) To the church in Thyatira he writes "I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance and that you are now doing more than you did at first." (2:19) to the church in Sardis he writes "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead." (3:1) To the church in Philadelphia he writes "He knows your deeds." (3:8) To the church in Laodicea he writes "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot." (3:15)

To know that God knows my works, the love that I have given freely through service to children's ministry, orphanages, youth prisons, Strong Tower ministries, hospitals, and patience with my family and others is incredibly encouraging. He knows that we are growing as Christians. In verse 2:13 he reminds us that he knows that we are now doing more than we did at first.

Yes, God knows all of our goodness and our love for Him, yet there are still things that are against us. Verse 2:4 says "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love."
We cannot hide our sins from God. He knows when we have fallen and when we have turned our backs against Him. He knows all of our struggles, our hardships, and our sins. The good news is that by trusting in, relying upon and clinging to the blood of Jesus, we are forgiven. God tells us how to overcome the times when we have fallen. And God tells us how to get back up and start over again. Verse 5 tells us to "Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first."

In Revelation Chapters 2-3 we are also reminded seven times "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:29, 2:6, 2:13, 2:22) Remember in verse 1:10 when John said "On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet." So how are we able to hear what the Spirit has to say to us? John is very specific when he writes "I was in the Spirit, and I heard".

Brothers and Sisters, in God's perfect love He has given us the gift of eternal life. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."

Doesn't that just make you want to jump up and down and shout Hallelujah!!! It does for me. God loves you and wants you in His paradise for all of eternity. He knows your deeds, good and bad, and He has given you instructions on how to overcome your sinful nature. Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior, ask Him to fill you with the Spirit, and open the eyes and ears of your heart to Him, and you will hear His voice. Then in faith, love, trust and follow Him.

In Christ's love,
Chappy Dave

Today's Prayer:

God,
Thank you for your perfect love. Thank you for knowing and understanding everything about us, how hard we work, all of our struggles in life, and our sinful nature. God, thank you for sending your son Jesus to us to teach us how to live and then to die on the cross so that we can live with You, in Your paradise, for eternity. Thank you for the prophecy that You have given us in the book of Revelation, and the encouragement that you give us through the Word. We confess that Jesus is Lord. We are sorry for the sins that we have committed, and we ask for your forgiveness. Lord, please fill us with your Spirit and give us ears to hear your voice. Lord, give us the strength to love, trust and follow You. We ask this all in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

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