There’s this one dream that I had when I was a little girl that I’ll never forget. I was at gymnastics practice in Indiana, and we were almost done for the day. I took a quick bathroom break and came back out. I walked onto the floor, minding my own business and ready to finish out the day. Everyone’s eyes were on me, watching me with perplexed and amused faces as I walked. They started laughing. I looked down, and somehow, I’d forgotten to pull my leotard back up. Little me was half naked in front of the entire gym, and absolutely horrified. 😯
We’ve all had the naked dream (and if you haven’t, consider yourself extra blessed). There are so many emotions that come with it. Embarrassment. Shame. Insecurity. Fear. Confusion. Defeat. I could go on about how awful and uncomfortable that dream made me feel, and I still squirm thinking about it today.
Why in the world am I talking about the naked dream? Because God reminded me of something crazy as I was reflecting on Psalm 139:1-4 this week.
God sees us completely, utterly naked. And we should praise Him for it.
I’ve always been someone who’s painfully aware of her weaknesses. On my own, I’m horribly sinful, desperately incapable of being good, pure, holy, anything pleasing to the Lord. I fail to live like the child that I already am in Christ each and every day, in billions of ways. I know it. And God knows it even better.
“You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.” -Psalm 139:2 (ESV)
God knows every single piece there is to know about me, and there’s literally nothing that He doesn’t already know or see. His eye is constantly upon me, from my body to my soul. He knows what I’m doing (v. 2). He knows what I’m thinking (v. 2), even when I don’t. He knows where I’m going and where I’ve been (v. 3). He knows what I want to say and what I’m going to say (v. 4). There’s literally not one thing about me that is unknown to Him. I am completely, uncomfortable bare before Him. And why should I praise Him for that?
Because even still, He loves me.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” -Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
And that was proclaimed about His incredible character before He fulfilled His promise of a Savior through Jesus.
And the same goes for you. Yeah, He sees how wicked you can be. He sees all of your evil, even when you think you’ve covered it up quite skillfully. He knows the intricate depths of your heart and your mind, even the parts of them that you have yet to discover or explore. He knows that even after truly coming to a saving faith, you’ll continue to stumble over your own sin day after day until you get to His throne. And knowing all of these things from the very beginning, He still chose you and He still loves you (John 6:36-40, ESV). Even now. And that is all because of the work of Jesus on the Cross, and His blood shed for you and me.
Isn’t that crazy? Isn’t that something to praise God for? That because Jesus stood in for us, and then resurrected and ascended above the task, the Father’s love for us now remains unchanged, unmoved, and undiminished for you and I, even though our ugly hearts are exposed before Him every moment?
That’s a big deal. This is how the author of first John puts it:
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” – 1 John 2:1-2 (ESV)
Friends, we have no excuse to keep on sinning. The greatest act of love committed by Jesus for our sake is not something to take for advantage of. It is not a reason to go on sinning because we know that we’re covered. That’s a whole other blog post, but know that a truly saved sinner doesn’t live a life of in habitual sin. No, this truth should humble us. It should push and encourage us to continue fighting against our flesh and the temptations that this world has to offer, because we already are children of God, and therefore must live as such (Ephesians 4:1-3, ESV). But when we do give in, as we often do because of our utter weakness, we have an advocate: Jesus Christ the Lord. And because of Him, our God still loves us unconditionally and eternally, even though He knows and sees all of the dirt that tries to hide in our hearts.
So, knowing that God still loves you, even you who continually come face to face with your own wickedness and sin, be inspired by His tireless love that never runs out, praise God, and continue on in your sanctification.
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” -1 Peter 1:13-16 (ESV)
Because although He knows it all, you are still His child, and He won’t ever let you go.
