A Devotional thought from Psalm 139:1–5
Psalm 139 is perhaps the best place in Scripture from which to talk about the omniscience and omnipresence of our God. Perhaps you might ask, "oh Bald one, what in the world do those words mean, Omniscience and Omnipresence?" To put it simply, wherever you go God is there and is completely aware!
Now I must confess that not everyone thinks that is a good thing.
Christopher Hitchens, atheist author of God Is Not Great, had this to say about these concepts,
“There may be people who wish to live their lives under cradle-to-grave divine supervision, a permanent surveillance and monitoring. But I cannot imagine anything more horrible or grotesque”
This fella thought that the constant presence, ever-watching eyes, and all-knowing mind of God is intrusive, a violation of our privacy.
Those were not my thoughts when I read those words in my devotions. I suppose it might have something to do with some of my recent experiences, but I got a feeling of warmth and comfort in knowing that My God is there and always aware.
Rather than seeing the presence of God like “Big Brother” intrusively watching your every move, I challenge you to view it as “a Big Father” who cares to know you!
Let’s look at this passage in a little more detail.
Psalm 139:1 O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Ladies don’t think this is the same kind of search that your kids and your husband do when they look for that missing sock or pair of shoes. We are not talking about a halfhearted glance around the room. The word translated “search” speaks of careful examination. In other words, God isn’t interested in a superficial getting’ to know ya, HE really cares to know you!
I watched my Mom interact with my kids one day and learned a valuable lesson, children really love a person that intently lessons to them and treats them like they are important.
If you are a child of God, you have a Father who cares to know you!
Psalm 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.
To phrase it another way, when you are up and when you are down, God cares to know you!
There are some people that will run from you like the plague when they see you sad. They will say “avoid him, he will bring you down”, “Stay away from her, she is a killjoy”. Isn’t it a blessing to have someone in your life that wants you to remain even when you are not sociable or fun?
Isn’t it great to have someone who cares to know you, the real you?
Such a one is your Father in Heaven; HE cares to know you when you are down!
I know some people that are just full of drama. Have you ever wondered why? I believe that some are so hurting for someone to care that they create crisis so people will run to their side.
You don’t have to have a crisis to have Christ come to you, HE CARES TO KNOW YOU!
High or low, up or down, God Cares to Know you!
Psalm 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.
God knows your thoughts and yes that can be scary, I have some humdingers pass through my noggin sometimes. I am embarrassed that I know some of my thoughts much less my Father but please don’t think of it like that, God cares about what you think! Most people don’t care about what you think but God does! Nobody on earth may have asked for your opinion but your Father in Heaven cares what you think. He has invited you to bring it all to the throne of Grace.
Psalm 139:3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways.
Your Heavenly Father cares to go before you and prepare your path but he also will stay behind you to cover your back! How is that not a comfort?
Psalm 139:4 For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Yes, he hears what you say. Sure, He heard how you spoke to that dude in the other car when he cut your off. Of course that should play into what we choose to say but for a moment don’t think of it like that. Rejoice with me that you have someone in your life that listens! To have someone care to listen is someone for which many long, and you have such a Father.
Psalm 139:5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, And laid thine hand upon me.
Your Father in Heaven loves you, stays with you and wraps his loving presence all around you!
He cares to know you! Aren’t you glad?
Readings for 12/8/20
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