He Knew and did it anyway.

We’ve heard it said a myriad of times “If I’d only known then what I know now…” We usually think we would have done things differently if we had had that hindsight knowledge. Maybe we would have been wiser or more cautious. Maybe we would have been more courageous and gone after that dream or taken the other job or, or, or. But if we had had that hindsight knowledge, we wouldn’t have had the same outcome to our lives. We wouldn’t be the same people we are today. Our whole life would be completely different! 

God knows all and sees all - beginning to end. He knows the outcome before it begins. Even with that knowledge, He allows things to take their course. 

God knew that 

 … in the garden where all was perfect – Adam and Eve would sin - Genesis 3 

 … at the Passover dinner when He saved them from the death angel (Exodus 12:28-30)

 … to take them the long way to the Promised Land around the Philistine territory because if they faced battle they might change their minds (Exodus 13:17-18) 

 … even though He led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:22) - they would not trust (Deuteronomy 1: 31-33) 

 … even though He rescued them from Pharoah’s army walking them across the Red Sea on dry land (Exodus 14) - they would accuse Him of trying to kill them ( Exodus 14:10 - 12) 

 … as they sang a song of deliverance (Exodus 15) - they would not be satisfied (Exodus 16:1-2; Exodus 14:11; 16:3; Numbers 11:1) 

 … when He gave them instructions for a good life in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 31:18) - they would be impatient and take things in their own hands replacing Him with their own god. (Exodus 32:1-8) 

 … when they became hungry for the foods of Egypt, giving them manna that rained down with the dew during the night and tasted like pastries baked in olive oil - they would complain and beg for meat. (Numbers 11:1-4) 

 … when He answered their cry for meat by sending a wind from the sea that brought more quail than they could eat - they would become gluttons (Numbers 11:31-32) 

 … after He showed them the wonders of the Promised Land - they would fear for their lives and plotted against Moses (Numbers 13:25-33) 

But it wasn’t just the Israelites that disappointed God. 

 … at the Passover dinner with Jesus and the disciples – He knew Judas would betray and Peter would deny Jesus (John 13:18-38) 

He still chose all these people to accomplish His plan and desires. He forgave their failings and restored them to His place of favor. Sometimes because they repented (Peter - Mark 14:72) and sometimes because someone was willing to stand up for them (Moses - Numbers 14:10) 

 There are many things God knows about us and the ways we will fail Him but He chooses to love us with unfailing love (Psalm 63:3). He promises to never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). He calls us His treasure (Psalm 135:4), His masterpiece or handiwork created to do the good works He has prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). We are always on His mind (Psalm 139:17 TPT) 

God knows who we are - the good, bad and unacceptable parts of us - He knows our destiny and has chosen us to follow Him willingly to do what He knows we are designed to do.He calls us to follow Him knowing we will stumble, but He also knows our successes.  

From the very beginning to the end (Isaiah 46:10), He Knew! Search me, oh God, and know my heart! Psalm 139:23