"He Knoweth"

The above quotation, from the book of Job, is a source of great consolation to the soul which is aiming with all of its powers to please God.

The entire human race is met by two extremes in this fleeting, changing life. One is, that of being overvalued by our fellow man; the other is that of being undervalued and misjudged. It is one of the impossibilities of this life, to please and retain the approbation of every one. We have often found, after our best effort to do so, that even in the attempt some one became displeased. Therefore, after such sad experiences, we are glad to find rest and consolation beneath the shadow of the above words, "He knoweth."

Let us notice some of the things which it gives peace and consolation to remember that God knows.

First. Among the many things that give us consolation in remembering that God knoweth, is our earnest desire to please Him. Even good people may not understand us, and sometimes criticize and sharply rebuke us when we do not deserve it. Hence it brings us great consolation to look up into the face of Jesus and say, "Lord, Thou knowest."

A second thing which brings us consolation in remembering that God knoweth, is our deep, earnest desire to give and do, even beyond our power, for His cause and people. Many a good, honest soul is teased and browbeaten by the devil at this point, owing to not being able to give as much to the cause as he would like, or because he is hedged in and unable to get out into the gospel work as he would like to, or had hoped to. But at this point it would be well to call to mind the words of the apostle Paul, in 2 Cor. 8: 12: "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." 

All the purest heart intentions

That adorn our lives to-day

Will be read by men and angels

When the mists have cleared away. 

All our seeming faults and failures,

And misunderstandings, too,

Will be seen in brighter colors

In that final-day review. 

A third thing that brings us great consolation in remembering that "God knoweth," is our disadvantages and hindrances, not known to the outside world. There are many who greet us at church with a smile and a warm handshake, who at the same time are wading the waters of domestic trouble, hardship and personal need, up to the neck. 

Ye know not the depth of the waters

Through which my spirit doth wade

Nor aught of the mountain of sorrows

That 'long my pathway doth shade.

However, we have the consolation and blessed assurance that Jesus knows, and will be our Judge on that final day. "The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged" (Psa 37: 32, 33).