Why does it matter that God knows all things? What difference might the doctrine of divine omniscience make in our lives—and in our counseling? In recent theological and pastoral discussions, some have critiqued this doctrine as unhelpful, even burdensome, to suffering souls. Scripture, however, consistently presents God’s all-knowingness not as a source of anxiety, but as a ground of reassurance for His people. God’s comprehensive and exhaustive knowledge of all things is repeatedly set within the context of His care, governance, and faithfulness—and it is precisely this omniscience that ought to elicit confidence and stability in those who suffer, and in those who counsel them. Far from undermining pastoral care, Scripture presents divine omniscience as one of the very grounds of comfort for suffering believers
The Comfort of Divine Omniscience
Omniscience refers to God’s all-knowingness, His complete, exhaustive, and comprehensive understanding and awareness of all things at all times. But this is not just some abstract doctrine for theological eggheads to study and debate. God’s knowledge is often communicated as a means of inviting our trust in Him. Several well-known passages highlight this truth.
Consider, for example, Psalm 147:5:
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
The text tells us that God’s knowledge is infinite, not cumulative. God’s knowledge is so vast and extensive that there is no way to even measure it. But this proof text for the doctrine of omniscience is set within a larger context of the Psalm. Psalm 147 is a call to praise the Lord for His provision and care for Israel. So, verses 1-3, for example, say:
Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
Within the context of praising God for His gracious care we are told of His infinite knowledge. It is an additional comment intended to invite our praise of God and trust in His ongoing care.
Consider, as another example, Psalm 139:1-4. The Psalmist is declaring that He is intimately known by the God of the universe — the God who leads him and protects him. We read:
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
God knows everything about us. He knows our comings and goings. He knows our thoughts and intentions. Before we speak He knows what we will say. This can sometimes be a scary thought for us. It demonstrates how vulnerable we are and how we cannot hide anything from God. Yet, the Psalmist sees it as an encouraging truth. “Such knowledge,” he says, “is too wonderful for me” (v. 6a). He adds:
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you. (v. 17-18)
To be known, with this level of depth and detail, by the God of the universe is intended to be a comfort to the soul of the psalmist.
Consider another passage: Isaiah 40:13-14. The text says that God does not learn, consult, or develop in knowledge. His knowledge is full and complete at all times. Yet this text too is set within a broader context of reassurance and comfort. The verses surrounding these two focus on celebrating the greatness of God. “Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him,” we read in verse 10. In verse 11 we are comforted with the news that He is a tender and compassionate shepherd of His people:
He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Then we get verses 13 and 14 which announce to us His omniscience. So great is His knowledge that the nations are “like a drop from a bucket” (v. 15) before Him. “To whom then will you liken God” (v. 18a)? God is great precisely because He is tender and compassionate and all-knowing. It’s a picture of His greatness for our good.
Our list could continue. We could mention Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 10:29–30 on God’s detailed knowledge of us. Because of the depth of his knowledge (knowing even the number of hairs on our head) we are encouraged not to be afraid. We could mention one of my favorite passages, 1 John 3:20. Here we are told that when our heart condemns us God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything. Again, omniscience is meant to be a comfort to anxious souls.
These are not the only places where omniscience is discussed in Scripture, and there are other reasons for expressing the doctrine found within the pages of the Bible. Yet, we see that one frequently given motivation for highlighting God’s all-knowingness is that it invites trust and confidence in His care. Omniscience is not a cold academic doctrine, but a practical one. It is one that Biblical counselors should know, cherish, and instruct their counselees in.
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