Not long ago I visited what is called an Imaging Center. This is a special kind of photographic studio in which pictures are taken of your internal parts by means of X-rays. These mysterious, invisible rays have the ability to penetrate solid matter and to reveal amy defects or breakage. It is interesting how these rays were discovered more or less by accident. In 1895 Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen of Germany was experimenting with cathode rays when he noticed that something eminating from the cathode ray tube caused nearby fluorescent material to glow. When he put masking cardboard between, the glow continued. He didn't know how this could happen through space and invisibly pass through solids, so he called them X-rays after the unknown quantity in algebra. Actually, the formal name of these rays is Roentgen Rays in honor of the discoverer. X-rays owe their penetrating power to their very short wavelengths and high energy. The wavelengths of X-rays range from about .05 angstroms to hundreds of angstroms. An angstrom is equal to .000000004 inch. The shorter the wavelength and the higher the energy, the deeper is the penetration. In contrast, the wavelength of light is much longer, and so when light encounters an opaque surface, it is either reflected or absorbed.
In 1916 the American physical chemist William D. Coolidge patented the first X-ray tube. Today X-rays are an essential tool in medicine and industry. They are used to study the structure of living organisms, and also they are used to study inanimate matter. X-ray crystallography is used to study the structure of molecules such as DNA and to identify unknown materials. They have been used in X-ray telescopes to probe distant astronomical objects. They can detect small cracks or stress in the metal of large machines such as aircraft. They are used in the manufacture of exceedingly small electronic microcircuits. They are also used in security devices to inspect baggage at airports and in custom inspections. They are even used by museums to detect art forgeries or to reveal old paintings covered by layers of paint.
God has the ability to penetrate the very thoughts and intents of the human heart (Heb. 4:12). All things are open to His penetrating gaze (Heb. 4:13). His eyes rove to and fro in the earth (Zech. 4:10). He knows a lot about us; He knows our name, and He knows our frame. The Holy Spirit in conjunction with the ministry of angels writes the law in our hearts, aids in Bible study, brings truth to our remembrance, creates a desire for truth, searches the thoughts, acts as a guide, leads men to Christ, and guides in the halls of justice. This omnipresence enables God to know everything and nothing is hidden from His view. His gaze penetrates to the very marrow of our being. What a solemn thought to know that there is no place to hide from God for we are under the constant scrutiny of "God's X-ray eyes."
