Thursday Psalms: God Is There!

Today we'll meditate on the first 12 verses of Psalm 139.  

¹ O Lord, You have searched me and known me!

² You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

     You discern my thoughts from afar.

³ You search out my path and my lying down

     and are acquainted with all my ways.

⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue,

     behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

⁵ You hem me in, behind and before,

     and lay Your hand upon me.

⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

     it is high; I cannot attain it.

⁷ Where shall I go from Your Spirit?

     Or where shall I flee from Your presence?

⁸ If I ascend to heaven, You are there!

     If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there!

⁹ If I take the wings of the morning

     and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

      even there Your hand shall lead me,

     and Your right hand shall hold me.

¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,

     and the light about me be night,”

     even the darkness is not dark to You;

     the night is bright as the day,

     for darkness is as light with You. 

How do you read these verses?  You may conclude:  "I can't run and hide from God!  He is everywhere and He is after me!  I am doomed!"  This reading is certainly true; God is everywhere, God knows everything and we most certainly can't hide from Him.  Also, left to our own devices and "goodness", we are doomed.  There is no way we can earn our salvation; the price of our sinfulness is death.  If we're judged only on our own merits, we would be separated from God in this life and we'd spend eternity in hell. These thoughts can be terrifying to us, and all who are sinners.  

But is this really what God is telling us in these verses?  While all the things mentioned above are true, God is giving us better news. The fact that God is all-knowing & present everywhere should give us great hope and comfort!  Above all else, this psalm proclaims God's love, which He expresses in His personal care and involvement in all of His creation.  Because Jesus died on the cross to take your sin punishment, and He rose from the dead on Easter morning, you know God is not chasing you everywhere to punish you!  There is no need trying to run and hide; simply confess your sins and they will be forgiven!  

These verses remind us that God loves us and His protecting, forgiving and loving presence is with us anywhere we go!  He "hems us in" with protection, and His hand "leads" us and "holds" us.  Thanks be to God, for His great love for us!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188     mobile:  248.881.7627

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

     Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

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Soli Deo Gloria

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1