"Because?"

As a 2-year-old, Caleb's been asking a lot of "why" sort of questions. He would usually utter "Because?" after we tell him something.

We've been going through the foundation verses with him and he has learned to recite quite a few. Today, as he and I were reciting Psalm 1:6 together, after the last phrase: "the way of the wicked will perish" he again said to me "Because?" I thought I could offer him a simple answer, but I ended up saying, "You will have to ask daddy tonight," which has been my favorite response lately to this new inquisitor in our house.

Even though the responsibility seemed to have shifted off my shoulder, I was somehow moved to think about the verse on a deeper level. During Caleb's nap time, I started looking up the verse and meditating on it. And as I studied it, I realized while the NIV version says "The LORD watches over the way of the righteous," the phrase "watches over" comes from the verb "know" which expresses an intimate knowledge with love and concern. He knows intimately those who belong to Him, while those who do not belong to Him end in destruction (separation from God and hence His intimate knowledge and care).

Although I may not have fully comprehended all aspects of the verse or passage, I thank the Lord for the blessing of Caleb's simple question "Because?" which has helped me behold a glimpse of the treasure in God's Word today. The Lord knows me deeply and intimately.