On this day in 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen made the first X-ray image.

What’s the first X-ray you can remember? Maybe it was at the dentist’s office to check for cavities in those pearly whites. Hopefully you haven’t had to have a leg or arm X-rayed because of an injury. X-rays are extremely useful if you need them. In a matter of minutes, the doctor can spot a hairline crack in a bone, a foreign object in the stomach, or a problem in a joint. So Dr. Röntgen sure invented an amazing, lifesaving machine.

It’s neat to be able to see inside a person, through clothes and skin. Just imagine if you could make your eyes work that way! In the comics, Superman is said to have X-ray vision, so he can spot criminals as he looks through walls.

God sees all that and much more. He sees inside our minds and hearts. He sees right through to the real person on the inside. God knows what we’re thinking and feeling—our motives and fears, hopes and dreams. That’s why we can pray silently, thinking our prayers to him.

So how does that make you feel? Guilty? Afraid? It can be scary to know that we can’t hide from God. And the Bible reminds us that “God knows all hearts, and he sees [us] . . . . And he will judge all people according to what they have done” (Proverbs 24:12).

Even though he knows all about you, God still loves you and wants the very best for you. And he’s always close! Also, as today’s verse reminds us, God continually looks for those who trust him and want to follow him. Is that you?

God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if there is even one with real understanding, one who seeks for God (Psalm 53:2).

To Do

Ask your mom or dad if they have any X-rays in the house (perhaps in an old medical file). If you can, put one in your room where you can see it to remind you of God’s unlimited knowledge and constant care.

Also on this day

This is Abilities Day.

1882—Thomas Edison created the first string of Christmas tree lights.

1958—The “Chipmunk Song” reached #1.[TMD1]

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.