Psalm 139
Wednesday, 30 December 2020
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. -Psalm 139:23-24
Nearing the end of another year, many would love to take stock of the past year. The stark difference between what the world has offered and what God has offered is plainly understood. In the world, all around us were only news of the pandemic, pain, conflict, calamities. The media most often projects the agony of innocent souls—all these often prompt many to question God – does God know what is happening? Does He see it? Why does He allow it? It’s easy to question God. The existence of evil is not the result of the absence of God– but it is the outcome of rejecting God.
Dear friend are you plagued with similar thoughts? Do you really know that God exists and loves you? The key verse today shows the way in which David dealt with the inner turmoil and invited God to search him and lead him along the path of everlasting life.
Psalm 139 extols the greatness of God, speaks to us the magnificence of God which enables us to submit our thoughts and concerns to Him:
His Omniscience: He knows everything of me (Psa 139:1-6)
Only God knows absolutely everything about us. Even the closest human relationship fails in this area. In fact, we can’t even know ourselves. God alone knows us thoroughly. Isn’t it great to have a personal relationship with the One who knows you from head to toe and from your outward to your inner being? You can enter into this relationship by putting your trust in Christ Jesus, who paid the penalty for your sin with His death on the cross. Will you put your trust in Him?
His Omnipresence: He is everywhere (Psa 139:7-12)
Isaiah 57:15 says that God inhabits eternity. It is impossible to escape the presence of God. Adam and Eve tried to hide from God, but found they could not do so. Jonah tried to run from God, but couldn’t. Men can hide from men but not from God. Dear folks, what are you running from? Is it your sin? Is it your loneliness? Is it your rejection? Is it your emptiness? Go to the One who inhabits eternity and He will nourish and cherish you. Would you go near to Him?
His Omnipotence: He is the Sovereign Creator (Psa 139:13-18)
Today even scientist fail to answer about the beginning of life but David was able to see God’s sovereignty and His providence in regard to the existence of human life in the womb. He knows that it was God who placed him in his mother’s womb. Have you seen a picture of a baby in its mother’s womb – so protected, so comforted, so relaxed? Don’t you sometimes wish the same, to just run away from the hassles of this world and to be hidden in a comforting position like a baby in its mother’s womb where no one can even see you? Dear friends, you can find refuge under His mighty wings (Psalm 91:4). He is calling you to give you that peace. Will you follow him?
My response: perfect submission (Psa 139:23-24)
When David realized that he cannot escape from this great God, he submitted himself to the Almighty and cried out to search him to see if any wickedness is in his heart. If we search ourselves, we may find ourselves “perfect”; but let God do the searching within us that He may point out our pitfalls. Then let us commit ourselves for a godly life by asking Him to lead us in the way everlasting. Will you allow God to check your heart?
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to understand that nothing is hidden from You; Your presence is everywhere. Please search me Lord and see if any wicked way is in me and lead me in the way everlasting as I commit myself to You. Amen