Psalm 139: 1 – 12 NLT
For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 O LORD, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, LORD.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—
12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
These are amazing words! There are millions of people on our planet. I’m just one average person in this world. I’m not famous, not even on my street or at my job. I have a few close friends, and lots of acquaintenances – just like most people. I’m sure Windsor’s mayor, Ontario’s premier, or Canada’s prime minister have no idea that I even exist.
Yet these words say that God knows me intimately. He knows my thoughts, he knows where I am at all times, he knows what I do whether I”m busy or just at home resting. That actually might make me feel a little uneasy. Does he know the mistakes I make, the sins I commit, the nasty thoughts I have? Yes. But …
Despite my sin, my failure …
“You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!”
God’s total care and love for me/you is unfathomable! We won’t likely ever truly understand it. Yet as we face 2024, we need to trust that what God says is true. He is with us every moment of our day and night. He is with us no matter where we are – in a safe place or in a stressful place.
No matter what –
“your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me”.
Reread these verses today slowly. Take in what God is saying to you – Yes, to You! 2024 might be an exciting proposition for you, or a daunting one. No matter what lies ahead, know that God is present with you.
Our song for today is The Love of God by Mercy Me.