Mensa Otabil - God Knows Us (09/29/2025)
Welcome to a brand new week. This week, we are looking at our relationship with God, and today we are considering the idea that God knows us. God knows you. Jeremiah chapter 1, verse 5: «Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.» God’s word to Jeremiah has been a source of encouragement to believers throughout the ages.
Many of us draw encouragement and assurance from these words that God spoke to Jeremiah. He said those words to Jeremiah to assure him that he was known and that the assignment God had for him was not a mistake. Jeremiah had been given a very major assignment to go out and speak to nations and kingdoms, and he felt he was not qualified for the job that God was calling him to do. So he started protesting, and that is when God said to Jeremiah, «I knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb.»
The same God who spoke those words to Jeremiah is speaking those same words to us: «I knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb.» In other words, God is saying to you, «I know you better than yourself, and I know you better than your mother knows you. I knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb.» So whatever God calls us to do, when He gives us an assignment, He gives us that assignment because He knows us and He knows what He has put in us. He knows what our capabilities are, and He knows what He can do with us. Although we may not think that much can happen with us, God knows us.
God then tells Jeremiah about his assignment, and Jeremiah eventually goes out to fulfill the assignment that God has given him. God does not choose us at the moment He speaks to us; He chose us long before He spoke to us. So anytime God comes to you and says, «I’m going to do this with you,» He’s not just saying it for the moment; He’s saying it because, before you were born, He knew you, selected you, qualified you, equipped you, and gave you everything it takes for you to do what He has called you to do.
So when Jeremiah says to God, «But I’m a child,» God says, «No, you’re not a child; you are a prophet to the nations.» Can you imagine the kinds of things we say to God? «Oh, but I’m young,» and God says, «No, you are well able.» «But I’m just a Black man,» and God says, «Yes, but my spirit is in you.» «I’m just a woman,» and God says, «I can do everything through you.» There is no limitation of gender or race and color when God wants to use us. God knows you; He knows you better than you know yourself, and He knows you better than your mother. Before you were conceived in the womb, He knew you.
So when you say to God, «I don’t have the money, I don’t have the education,» put all the protests you have in one basket. God says, «Yes, I hear that, but I know you. I know what stuff I’ve made you of. I know what I have put within you. I know the capacity I have given you, and my Holy Spirit in you makes all the difference.» He knows you better than you know yourself. Trust Him when He says you are well able. Trust Him when He says you are more than a conqueror. Trust Him when He says you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. God knows you, and He thinks you can do everything that He wants you to do. Are you ready to accept His challenge based on His knowledge?
Let’s share a word of prayer together. Say with me: «Heavenly Father, I thank you that you know me. You know what you have made me to be, and I accept your assignment for my life. In Jesus' name, amen and amen.» Well, my friends, go into the world with the assurance that God knows you. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.