Psalm 139
1 Lord, you have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up; you understand my thoughts from far away. 3 You observe my travels and my rest; you are aware of all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue, you know all about it, Lord. 5 You have encircled me; you have placed your hand on me. 6 This wondrous knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.
Ever since I was a college student, this Psalm became very important to me. It always provides me great comfort to read through it. It may be a Psalm that is very familiar to you as well. However, this week, I want to invite you to really sit with it as we dig into a new year. The verbs in this Psalm, describing how well God knows each and every one of us, can aid us immensely as we walk through each day striving to keep God at the center of every aspect of our lives. So, without further ado, let’s explore them together.
Searched: God cares enough about you to explore every nook and cranny of you. God urgently looks for you even more than when you search for your cell phone or keys while trying to get out the door on time. God wants to know every part of you. God searches the whole world over looking for you. May you show up for Him. May the Lord find you ready to offer all that you are up to God.
Knows: God knows EVERYTHING. God knows the good, the bad, all of it. God knows what compels you to get up, to move, and to take action. God also knows the places where you find yourself sitting, stuck, in your life. God knows things about you even before you speak them or know them yourself.
Understand: Merriam-Webster Dictionary lists one definition for the word understanding as “to grasp the meaning of.” God grasps the meaning of you. God gives you meaning. God gives you a purpose for each day, and God knows why you are here on earth during this time and this moment.
Observe: God is constantly watching. you. God watches over you and each of your steps big and small. God watches over you when life is a busy whirlwind. God watches over you when you are halted either by something good like the rest the Lord encourages us to take or something bad like a paralyzing challenge.
Aware: God is aware of where you go and how you are treated there. God is aware of the words that come out of your mouth in conversations and the words spoken to you. God is aware of all the options presented to you each day and what you choose, whether it glorifies the Lord or not, from those options.
Encircled: God surrounds you with unconditional love, mighty arms, and His never-ending presence.
Placed your hand on me: You can feel God touching you through creation, Scripture, a song, the words of another, and so many more different avenues.
Beyond me: You cannot know or fully comprehend how much You matter to God. None of us can. It is beyond our thinking. God’s strength, power, plan, and love is all perfect and all beyond us. What you can know, is in God you are completely known.