Scripture:
Psalms 139:1-24 NKJV
[1] O Lord, You have searched me and known me. [2] You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. [3] You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. [4] For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. [5] You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. [7] Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? [8] If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. [9] If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, [10] Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. [11] If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; [12] Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You. [13] For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. [14] I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. [15] My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. [16] Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. [17] How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! [18] If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You. [19] Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men. [20] For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain. [21] Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? [22] I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies. [23] Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; [24] And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
Observation:
Over the last few months, it would have to say it has been rather eventful to say the least. So many things have happened and so many things have changed, that it would be hard to understand where it’s all going to be honest. As I was praying over what to write about this morning, I believe the Holy Spirit brought me directly to Psalms 139. It’s been a month or two since I have had the opportunity to just sit down and read it. Taking it all in this morning was rather refreshing. It was exactly what I needed to see about my heavenly Father. As we know most of the Psalms were written by King David. A man after GOD’S own heart. A man who passionately pursued GOD. To the extent of dancing naked in the streets. He knew that GOD knew him, HE knew his innermost parts. The very first verse we come to this morning exposes that. As king David begins his conversation with the LORD, he says O LORD, You have searched me and known me. He knew that nothing he could say or do would surprise GOD. Every moment of David’s life had already been seen and played out for the LORD. This is a concept that is probably hard for us to wrap our human minds around. Society has coined the term real time. It is a phrase that gives the indication that whatever is going on is going on in that very moment, It’s not recorded and refined, then played out. It’s happening right now. While David is reflecting on the awe and wonder of who GOD is he makes the statement that allows us to see that although HE has made him and knows the plan and course of his life, HE is also in every moment, HE never leaves, seeing every time he sits down and every time he gets up. Nothing escapes the view of GOD. David’s desire is to express to the LORD that because HE knows him so intimately, David himself has come to know and have a more intimate relationship with HIM. I believe that the heart of Psalms 139 is King David saying to GOD, I know you know me and so therefore I want to know you more. In this moment David is having a revelation of the very power and presence of GOD in his life. Seeing HIS protection and provision, with statements like, “ You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. What a beautiful moment this must have been in their relationship. As I continue to read it and take it in it’s honestly somewhat breathtaking. The revelation David is having about how well the LORD knows him is overwhelming. It’s too much for David to truly understand. There is no way to escape the power and presence of the one who created him. I can only imagine how David felt. I see him looking back over his life standing there in the face of a giant with a few rocks in his pocket armed with only a slingshot, and boldness that could only be found in the LORD, “ Your are not going to talk about my GOD that way, I’m going to cut you down in HIS name, because HIS hand is on my life…. That you will soon see.” I see that moment running through his mind, along with some that were not so glamorous as well. Prideful moment. Moments where correction was brought, and people had suffered, David’s reflection on who GOD is describes HIM so perfectly, at the end of it all, what David is ultimately saying is that GOD is everywhere and in everything. Even in the darkest moments of his life. Hiding in caves from a man who was just not a good King, knowing that he was in David’s rightful spot. GOD’S hand guided him, boiling down to the fact that the reason GOD knows him so well only reveals the fact that it could only be the very hand of GOD who created him. Stitching him together every piece of who David is was and will be was very carefully placed there by the Potter. Bringing all this to an end. David asks GOD to search his heart and reveal to him who he is, so that he can be with HIM in eternity. A prayer we should all pay close attention to.
Application:
Wow, that’s all I can say. Not one moment of our lives escapes GOD, HE has seen it all play out right in front of HIM like a movie, yet HE chose us. HE has seen every mistake, every pride filled decision, every bold stand, and every break in our heart’s, and still said yes, that one…. I will give my very life for that one. It’s hard to comprehend sometimes. When we see who we are behind closed doors, so does HE, and it doesn’t change HIS mind, in fact HE knew that’s who we were when HE made us, and still made us in that way. The statement that we are fearfully, and wonderfully made. Everything that we see as a character defect, HE carefully placed there for just the right moment, and although it may cause some pain, that pain will be used to show us not only who we are, but who HE is in the process. We can’t run from it and we should not run to it, but if we are present inside of it, our hearts will be refined to accomplish HIS will for our lives. This morning one of the main things I want you to know… and honestly I’m speaking to myself as well… is that every tear we have ever cried has not gone unnoticed. GOD has seen it. Not only has HE seen it but HE has saved that tear in a bottle. One day we will all be in heaven and have the opportunity to see exactly why that tear fell from our face. It’s all part of GOD’S plan. All things work for good for those who love GOD and are called according to HIS purpose. We have been made in a perfect way, to accomplish HIS perfect will, inside of every flaw is a part of GOD’S plan. HE sees you, HE knows you, HE made you, and HE chose you. The love that GOD has for you will not stop. HE has never left and HE won’t have your name is engraved in the palm of HIS mighty hand, just think about that, it can not be erased. You are etched into HIS safety.
Prayer:
Father, not only do we see that you know us, but you have made us in a wonderful way. Not one moment of our lives escapes you. It’s truly breathtaking to think about. Every closed door we have tried to hide behind, your perfect will is inside of before we get there. You truly amaze me. As I sit here with tears trying to form I know that you see it. You knew it all and you still chose to give it all up for me. It doesn’t matter what happens, you are inside of it. There is nothing you do not know, and nothing you have not seen, no moment that you are not inside of. You are all and are in all. The very breath of life is your spirit that you placed inside of me. Wow that is my prayer this morning…. Wow… what an amazing GOD I serve. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.