He Knows Me! Inside and Out!

In Psalm 139 we find that we cannot fit God in any of the boxes we might like to put him in. In fact, it is God who 'puts us in a box' - hemming us in with his divine knowledge, inescapable presence and power. God knows us in ways that we do not even know ourselves. Such knowledge could disturb us and make us feel quite uncomfortable - 'where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?' However, this divine knowledge of us is a prerequisite to us ever coming to know God (Gal 3:29-4:9). And, as J. Packer writes, God's complete knowledge of us involves "personal affection, redeeming action, covenant faithfulness, and providential watchfulness... salvation, now and for ever."
This knowledge is momentous and extraordinary - too wonderful for us, too lofty to attain. Yet, instead of evoking fear, it can bring relief and liberty to us as we realise that God knows us completely, including every sinful thought, word and deed, and still jealously loves us and has given his own Son that we might know him and call him Father and be led in the way everlasting.