As we continue looking at some characteristics of God, let’s look at one of my favorites.

God is omniscient. This theological word comes from Latin, combining the two words OMNIS (meaning all) and SCIENS (meaning knowledge). This means that God has ALL knowledge.

1 Samuel 2:3

3 "Boast no more so very proudly,

Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;

For the LORD is a God of knowledge,

And with Him actions are weighed.

Job 37:16

16 "Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds,

The wonders of one perfect in knowledge,

Take a second, and think about what all-knowing really means. Ever hear the phrase “hindsight is 20/20?” We can go back and evaluate the past, see our failures, and hopefully learn from them. We can speculate about what may happen in the future. But nobody knows exactly what will happen tomorrow! Our knowledge is limited by time; but God’s knowledge is not. He invented time! Look back at your life and realize how much you have learned. Hopefully you will continue learning as you grow, especially spiritually! Now realize that God has never had to learn ANYTHING! He has always known everything – every thought, every event, every action of every person who would ever live. And He knew it all billions of years before they even existed!

Not only does God know everything that has happened and will happen, He also knows what I call “If History.” Do you ever wonder what would have happened if you had made a different choice of career? Or of spouse? Or of a place to live? Do you ever say, “If only I had…?” The omniscience of God means that He knows exactly what would have happened, even down to the very last consequence that you never even thought about!

When you combine this unfathomable knowledge with God’s love for us, how can you ever be worried? God wants what’s best for you and He knows the exact consequences of anything that can happen in your life. Because He knows everything, He knows exactly what’s best for us:

Nahum 1:7

7 The LORD is good,

A stronghold in the day of trouble,

And He knows those who take refuge in Him.

We may not understand the adversities and problems we face, but often times in retrospect we can see exactly what God was doing. He has always known exactly what we were going to go through, and has already solved our problems! Remember, God is unable to be surprised!

John 13:7

7 Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter."