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Psalm 139:1-2 – O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. (NLT)
Regardless of how many times that I explained the concept, some continued to misunderstand and make mistakes.
Correctly punctuating compound sentences — or independent clauses — was one of the simplest yet most difficult concepts that I taught in Language Arts. The rule was simple: when two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction, a comma must precede the conjunction. In order for an independent clause to be claimed as such, it must have a subject, verb, and a complete thought — not just a verb and a few prepositional phrases.
It was the latter that confused many students. Many of them would place a comma when the sentence was actually a simple sentence with compound verbs. Others would mistake the word "then" for a coordinating conjunction and place a comma. I spilled much red ink when correcting papers that related to correctly punctuating compound sentences. Although I explained the concept in every imaginable way, the rule often didn't sink in. Their failure to understand cost them many unnecessary mistakes.
I, too, have failed to understand concepts when I was in school. My misunderstanding was more in math than English classes, though. More worrisome is being misunderstood by others. The psalmist was confident that God understood him. After all, God had created him. He knew everything about him, even his innermost thoughts.
Failing to understand a concept and being misunderstood by others aren't pleasant. Both can lead to frustration. I've taught students who practically gave up, and I've known people who struggled with depression because others just didn't "get" them.
Since God made me, He knows everything about me. He knows the things that I struggle with — the hard subject, the unpleasant work atmosphere, the tough relationship, the co-dependent friend, the addiction. He doesn't have to hear me voice my frustrations, because He knows my thoughts. He understands me.
There will always be things that I don't understand, as well as some who don't understand me. I can live with that as long as my Creator is by my side, guiding me along life's journey. He's the friend who will never leave, who will always comfort, and who will forever understand.
Let each of one of us take comfort in knowing that God understands when no one else does.
Prayer: Father, thank You for creating us and for understanding everything about us. Amen.
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Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
Thanks, Martin, for this reassuring message.
Amen, Martin. What an awesome God He is!
Amen! I love grammar, too. a perfect example!
So true. Thanks.
(B.C.)
Hi Martin,
Apart from the parts about Psalm 139 you pretty much lost me. My feelings are summed up in your prayer. Thank you.
How true! I found it so annoying to read “it’s” instead of “its”. Once I focused on the mistake, I lost the message. My lesson was to keep my life focused and not get distracted. Thanks for sharing.
Dear Martin,
Praise His Holy name that yes, indeed, He does understand. For years before I understood that concept, I was very troubled about that. Now I understand. Blessings to you.
Hello Martin,
Thank you for another special devotional. Yes, it is so wonderful that our Lord knows every possible thing about us and is ever ready to guide us thru each situation.
Blessings for your writings.
(B.C.)
Thanks Martin. I just had to get a new computer and went from Windows seven to Windows ten? l am not so quietly going insane trying to understand the idiocy of this new program. I am ready to just give up due to frustration.
Have a good day and thanks again for today’s devotional.
Blessings.
Dear Mr. Wiles,
Thank you for writing this beautiful devotion. I began my subscription yesterday and this was the first one I received which made me very happy because it is about a verse that my Mom says to me often. I cannot wait to receive more. I pray that you continue writing and sharing your work so that others may be touched by your words! God Bless!
Wow! That’s quite the grammar lesson! I’ve just been praying this morning about all the times I have hurt other people (and been hurt by others) because of misunderstanding – or simply NOT understanding. What a comfort it is to be reminded that our Lord does understand us completely.
How amazing to think of all His forgiveness toward us – and the importance of offering all that same principle of forgiveness to others! Life can be very complex!! Thanks again Martin.
Even just the title of your devotional helped me this morning shortly after 5AM. When I sat down and opened my email at the start of a difficult day where the only outcome I can count on is what you’ve written – He understands. And that is enough. More than enough, that I am his child and his plan for today is perfect. How I enjoy the precision of your writing, the clarity, the understanding you bring to a topic I confess I’m still not that clear on. But at 78, I probably won’t need to be, anymore. God blesses you with SUCH inspiration which makes its way to us and I am grateful.
To Martin Wiles,
Thank you for your comprehensible and teaching devotional.
I was once a teacher too.
Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
Martin,
I am so thankful and blessed to know that only Jesus truly understands any of us. I pray for more people to believe that.
Your writings are a blessing!