Reading: Psalms 139-143
Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me (Ps. 139:7-10).
In the 139th Psalm, David reveals his knowledge of one of life's great theological truths. God knows everything there is to know about us. Nothing can be hidden from Him, not even our innermost thoughts or secret desires. Over the course of this Psalm, David concludes that God knows him better than he knows himself.
With his heartfelt and poetic words, David gives thanks for God’s presence in all places at once. The omnipresent nature of God is difficult, if not impossible, for the human mind to process. We think in a singular, linear fashion, and our finite minds are baffled by the infinite nature of God. A billion people at a billion different points on the globe could all be praying simultaneously, and God would still be able to give each of them His undivided attention. This is a truth that we must accept on faith alone. He is present for every moment of every life He has ever created. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad (Luke 8:17).
David also understood that there is a second reason that God knows us so well. God is our Creator, and who could better understand the nature of the creation than its Creator? If a flaw is found in the foundation of a towering skyscraper, the architect who designed the blueprints will be called. When a glitch is discovered in computer software, we seek out the designer who wrote the code. When looking for answers, tracking down the people who know the product inside and out makes sense. They will be the ones that will understand its proper function and be best equipped to get things back on track. So it is with mankind. Our heavenly Father created us and knows everything there is to know about us. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10).
Since God knows us that well, what is the point in trying to hold things back from Him? Do we really think we can compartmentalize our hearts to the point that we can deceive God? Most of us have experienced situations where we desperately wanted something but were afraid to pray about it because we were not sure that wanting it was proper. Do you remember what happened when you tucked the thought away and tried to keep it to yourself? You created a barrier between yourself and God, a barrier that could only be breached by opening up and sharing the hidden thought. God knows what is in our hearts, whether or not we reveal it to Him, but the only way for us to receive His counsel is by being open and honest in our prayers to Him.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Phil. 4:6).
Thought for Today: To seek to know God through prayer and reading His Word is to bask in His presence; to seek to fully understand God is to make a vain attempt to become His equal.
Christ Revealed: As the One who deals bountifully with us (Ps. 142:7).
Word Studies: 139:15 curiously wrought = skillfully fashioned; 140:5 gins = lures, snares; 141:7 Our bones are scattered = Overwhelming destruction is contemplated; 143:3 smitten = crushed, struck.
Pray for Country: Tanzania (49,639,138) Eastern Africa • Major Languages: Swahili, English, Arabic • Religious Freedom (heightened tensions between Muslim and Christian communities) • Mainland - 30% Christian; 35% Muslim; 35% Indigenous Beliefs; Zanzibar - More than 99% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to teach you His ways (Ps. 27:11).
Optional Reading:II Timothy 3