By Toni Ford
Psalm 139 is one of my favorite psalms written by David. I am not sure at what stage or age of life David wrote this psalm, but as you read it, you can definitely tell he had developed a very intimate relationship with his Lord. It almost was if it were a personal love letter he was writing to his Heavenly Father. Warren Wiersbe gives a great introduction and explanation to this psalm, which I would like to share. He says, “What we think about God and our relationship to Him determines what we think about everything else that makes up our busy world – other people, the universe, God’s Word, God’s will, sin, faith and obedience. Wrong ideas about God will ultimately lead to wrong ideas about who we are and what we should do, which leads to a wrong life on the wrong path toward the wrong destiny.” In other words, having a right knowledge of God is essential to a fulfilled life. I believe David truly understood this concept, and this psalm depicts some of the truest foundations of the character and attributes of our God.
God knows EVERYTHING about us. Psalm 139:1-2 says, “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts, even when I’m far away.” The psalm goes on to say that God knows not only our thoughts but knows our every action, every location, every thought, words, ways and motives. Our friends might see the outside, but God sees the heart, and as a result, we will never be able to deceive Him. What amazes me is verse 5, which says, “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” Even though God sees everything about me – all the good and bad and knows what I am going to do even before I do it – He still knows what is best for us and does all He can to guide us that way. It is the goodness of God that places His hand on us to steady and direct us. We should be overwhelmed by His love for us in this manner.
God is CONSTANTLY with us. Psalm 139:7 says, “I can never escape from Your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence.” No matter how much we may want to escape or hide from God’s presence we will NEVER be able to do so. We cannot hide, even in the darkness, for to Him the darkness is light. Once again, the amazing thing is that God wants to walk with us and guide us, not to control us but because He loves us and wants the best for us. His plan for us is the very best, so why would we even want to try and run from Him? We need God’s presence with us if we want to enjoy His love and have a fulfilled life.
God made me WONDERFULLY. Psalm 139: 13-14 says, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it.” God is our creator and the designer of our bodies, our personalities and every little detail! It is in the mother’s womb that the Lord weaves and embroiders a human being and has a plan and purpose for each life He creates. Therefore, each life created in the womb is important, and God can take any situation and ordain it for good! May we understand the importance of life and the beautiful creation God intended it to be from the very beginning!
God will JUDGE all people righteously. Psalm 139: 19 says, “O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!” If we know God is with us always and we can never escape His presence, if we know He created us to bless us and has a beautiful plan for our lives, then wouldn’t it make sense that we obey Him and surrender our lives to Him? One would think this makes perfect sense. However, there are those who prefer to oppose God and dispute His Word. It grieves the Father’s heart when people choose to go a different path, and because of His holiness, there will come a day when all people will be judged by Him. No one will ever escape that judgment. David knew that this grieved the heart of His Father, and although he prayed for justice to be given, he also prayed that the Lord would search his own heart and keep him pure before His Father. May we as believers pray for those who are not walking with the Lord, but may we be even quicker to run to the Lord and ask Him to show us any impurities in our own lives first.
Lord, today we thank you for the way in which you care about every detail of our lives and how you are always with us, never leave us and always want the best for us. Thank you for keeping Your hand on us and guiding us in the best path for us. May we never forget all the many ways in which you show Your love to us each day!
If you would like me to join you in prayer please email me at tonif77@gmail.com. I would love to pray for you!
