How Did You Know?
Do you remember as a child doing something that you were not supposed to do and your parents asked you, “Did you…?” At first, you denied it. You thought you had taken every effort to hide it, but somehow they knew. Who told them? How did they find out? So you asked them a question, “How did you know?” Of course, they did not tell you their secret. It seemed my parents knew when I was misbehaving and doing something I shouldn’t. They did not know every time, but many times they could tell something was amiss.
Try as we might, we just can’t hide things always. We may get by with it for a while, but then sooner or later, we will be found out. And when it is found out, there are always consequences.
When the children of Israel went into the promised land, the first city they captured was Jericho. They were told to destroy everything and to take none of the spoil of the people. The second time they went to over-take a city they were defeated. They could not understand why. Joshua prayed to God and was told, “Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have even taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived. Moreover, they have also put them among their own things.” Joshua 7:11 (NASB) All the people were brought together and the Lord showed who the guilty party was.
A man named Achan had taken clothing, silver and gold and buried it in his tent. In the scripture, God told Joshua someone had “stolen and deceived.” The articles were brought from his tent and he and his family and all that he had were destroyed. Not only he but his loved ones shared in the consequences.
We might be able to take and hide things from other people, but we cannot hide anything from God. In Numbers 32:23, we read, “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.” We cannot hide from God as He knows all. And if we are not willing to listen to His word and do what it says, then we will face the consequences one day.
So, are you hiding anything? God knows. Read Psalm 139 when you have the opportunity. And then let’s each one determine to live a life that is true to the One who knows all. You see, He knows when we cheat, steal, rob, deceive someone. When we treat someone unkindly or harshly, He knows. He knows when we have broken a promise or vow made. Nothing can be hidden from Him.
The beautiful thing about all of this is He is always willing to forgive us if we truly repent and turn from the sin. If we do not, there is an awful fate awaiting us—eternal punishment. Look at your life. Do all to hold on to the God who is over all and knows all.