Psalm 139 came to my attention, again, in this past Sunday's sermon on End Times. On Sunday, I knew I wanted to look back in my journals, blog, and calendar because the whole chapter has meant so much to me (but I really didn't know when I'd have time). Why I chose today to look at only makes me smile, now that I have taken the time to investigate it. Isn't time with God always like that? Always makes you smile after you've taken the time to spend with Him.
Chronology:
On the below dates, I somehow blogged or noted in my calendar the below events. Some of the below I understand now, but some may be revealed in the future (which is marked by the (?)). But regardless, it amazes me how keenly aware He is of every detail in my life (which is definitely one of the points in Psalm 139).
- June 8, 2008 - HFBC, "God Provides" sermon - Psalm 139:23-24
- June 9, 2008 - found Angels' website, "B: Leading Ladies... B is for beauty", Psalm 139:13-18 (really when it occured to me that Psalm 139 was becoming a theme)
- July 30, 2008 - blogged after being convicted of pride and arrogancy - Psalm 139:23-24
- August 29, 2008 - "test" was one of the words I received - Psalm 139:23
- Feb 17-18, 2009 - blogged the entire chapter after I did the Missions Committee devotional on "the only way it comes is through Jesus Christ"; and very keen on the word "inheritance" (?)
- June 7, 2009 - HFBC, "End Times" sermon - Psalm 139:7-10
- June 8, 2009 - looked back to see, and unknown to me at the time, that it was one year - to the date - that I was first given the idea of Psalm 139!
I'm going to attempt to share what the different sections mean to me. But that's like a blind man trying to describe a rainbow. Just too beautiful for explanation; it has to be experienced. I invite you to do the same.
verses 1-6:
seem to focus on who God is - His character. Most of the sentences being with "You". I have been learning a lot in the past year or so about His never-failing character. In fact, I have a whole page in my journal which is devoted to one-word descriptions of our Lord: Faithful. True. Lover. Healer. Judge. Protector. King. Friend. Beginning. End. Provider. Creator. Patient. Powerful. Real. Persistent. Forgiver. Promise. Precious. Majesty. Authority. Sufficient. Complete. Self-existent. Banner. Secure. Beautiful. Comforter. Love. Grace. Mercy.
you get the idea. He's BIG! David got it also. And I think that's always a good place to begin... looking at just how big our God really is. It definitely puts things in proper perspective.
verses 7-12:
describe God and His ability to be in all places at all times. The God who created time is not bound by it. That's why He is forever the same, never changing. And it can be intimidating and reassuring all at the same time. There is no where I can that He is not there. David says, "If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me', even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." I think He truly understood that God was always there.
(Now what's really funny is that I have itunes playing in the background and what came on "coincidentally" while I was writing this section was "Always on My Mind" - Willie Nelson's version. I had to bust out laughing. God's timing is so amazing. We just need eyes that see.)
I remember Rich Mullins sharing about one time when he was in a bit of a rebellion that he asked God to "blink... for a really long time". I can identify with that. There have been times (more times than I'd like to admit) that I've wanted God to just blink. But He cannot and does not... because He has chosen to not. Now that's love of the covenental kind.
verses 13-18:
tell of God's power - and to create beauty! US!!!! Yes, you and me. David was speaking very personally here... and praising God for creating Him just the way He was. What I also love about this section of passage is that David says, "Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." It reinforces the whole idea to me that God has been at "rest" since creation, end of day 6. Everything was created, including time. But He created time and we live in it and must wait as things unfold. Things already created, just waiting to happen. This, again, reinforces to me the idea of trust, rest, wait.
verses 19-24:
David focuses inwardly to conclude this chapter. But this is how it started off with me: examining myself - via the Holy Spirit's prompting.
I think it very telling that David starts off this section with hatred - for those who hate God. But then the last two verses, to me, describe a man who realizes His hate and asks God to search him to see if there is any offensive way in him and lead him in the way everlasting. What this says to me is that I think he may have "gone off" on others, maybe being a big judgmental, and when he realized his judgmental spirit, he caught it and humbled himself. Man, how many times has pride, judgment, and arrogancy clouded my eyes?
(Another song "coincidence" - would you believe Chris Tomlin's "My Chains are Gone - Amazing Grace" just came on?!? Don't you think David must have been overwhelmed with God's grace as he wrote those last two verses?)
The last 6 words are the most grace and mercy filled: "Lead me in the way everlasting". I mean how could we even entertain the idea of a perfect and Holy God being anywhere near us, save grace and mercy? Thank you, Lord, for Your perfect grace and mercy.
Enjoy who you are and who God has made you to be. There is no one else like you. He only makes originals. And as Psalm 139 confirms, God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. But God gave us the ability to choose. As Andrew Murray points out, as believers, we will do one of two things - either deny self or deny Jesus.
What do you choose today?
All for now,
Lisa
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