The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum How much does God think about nonbelievers?

In Psalm 139:17-18 David mentions how God has, from my understanding, an infinite number of thoughts about him. And I think it's reasonable to also think the same is true for each Christian. But what about the non believer? I ask this because I'd like to know if it'd be truthful to say, "Hey God has THIS MANY thoughts about you!" Thanks so much in advance.

The text you are referring to is an expression of one (David) who has been given a godly nature (regeneration) with which he has been enabled to comprehend something of the majesty, sovereignty and providence of God (vv. 13-18). Thus he, as a Spirit-indwelt believer comprehends something of these things which are of God and delights in them.

Now, as to 'how many thoughts' God has toward unbelievers it must be said that they too are infinite in number. But it isn't the quantity which this Psalm has in focus but rather the quality of God's thoughts. The fact that the LORD God is omniscient and thus has ordained all things from eternity, surely there is nothing He doesn't know (prescience) about unbelievers too.

Lastly, as to the question about saying to unbelievers, "Hey God has THIS MANY thoughts about you!", I feel it would be rather disingenuous. For, on the surface it implies, IMHO, that these xxxx number of thoughts are a positive thing... aka: "God loves you!", which we know cannot be said to those outside of Christ. Indeed, God has an infinite number of thoughts, i.e., if we can even speak of numerical values concerning God's thoughts, but it is again the quality of those thoughts which should be of most importance. We assuredly know that those who are unbelievers are under God's wrath from conception and subject to condemnation (Ps 5:5; 11:5-7; Eph 2:3; Rom 9:22). So, the truth of the matter is that God does know all men perfectly and has ordained their beginning and their end. And this should bring fear upon those who are yet enemies of Almighty God and drive them to seek God's mercy and repent of their sins and believe savingly upon Christ.

Well said!