Psalm 139:1-24
I don't know how many times someone has told me (or I've told someone else) that God is always with us and that He knows everything about us. It's a message we all need to hear and was it ever clear in Psalm 139. But here's the thing, sometimes because I'm familiar with it and heard this so many times, I take God's presence and his understanding and knowledge of me for granted. I basically short change myself when I allow that to happen. Not good.
So how can we make sure we're taking full advantage of God knowing us and being with us at all times? And if we're not there, what are some actions we can take to change that? Tami W.
First and foremost, I have to say that Psalm 139 is the closest to my heart. It is very easy to take God for granted because we are all self-indulgent. It takes alot of discipline and constant awareness to change our ways. By reading the Bible, praying and spending time alone with Him in thought regularly and consistenly we effectuate His presence with us.
The advantage of knowing that God is with us at all times is right action. I know that when I have thoughts or behave in a way that may be displeasing to Him I immediately ask for forgiveness and take steps to correct myself. That's why verses 23 and 24 of Psalm 139,specifically, are the closest to my heart. I want nothing more that to please Him who has given me breath.
It has taken me years to realisze that God never leaves me. When God seems far away it is I that have put seperations between me and God. It is through daily prayer and daily reading God's word that I now feel secure that the Lord is with me all the time. It fills me with Joy that I can feel my Saviors presents every day and every hour. We have a woinderful God that never leaves us and never takes His eyes off of us.
For me, taking full advantage of knowing God is with us at all times occurs when I take the time to learn more about Him. Lately I have been reading a book by Spurgeon about the Holy Spirit and His awesome power. I don't want to limit God to 'Sunday's only or only when I need Him' but DAILY I want to engage with Him and do His will. I can't plead ignorance or put it off because I don't have the time. God is the Author of my life and because I've accepted Him into my life, I know how my life-story ends- a happy ending! It's important for me to allow Him to fill the pages of my book by doing His will- that includes talking to Him, obeying Him, and trusting Him. He's preparing me for some BIG things and I must be about my Father's business.
For us as Christians we can take great comfort, feel secure, have peace and ease of mind, knowing that the Lord is always with us, sees and knows everything about us, and is in control of everything.
We always need to be in the state of dependency upon our Father!
In all honesty, this Psalm used to scare me. I mean...God knows my thoughts before I know them? Now, after growing in faith and belief, this Psalm is a comfort. I know God knows, therefore when I blow it, I can more easily repent.
Dr. Woodrow Kroll's teachings on being intimate with God this past week has been an eye opener for me and the teachings lead us to have a more intimate relationship with God.
What I got out of yesterday's message is for that me to be intimate with God I need solitude with Him. As Dr. Kroll said I cannot have a relationship with Christ if the TV is on or if I am reading the newspaper or having a conversation with someone else. I need solitude just God and me. The next two ways of becoming intimate are not so easy for me because nothing seems to be going on when I am still two minutes. I am rushing Him instead of being silent and meditate on His Word. I will find a quiet place from all distractions and really try to be intimate with God and I know I will get through this because He knows I want to and He is going to teach me to be more patient and just listen. To be intimate also means that I have to commit time. This I do but I really must work on the silence and stillness actions.
Psalm 139 is such a beautiful Psalm. Each day one of my prayers is, "Search me O Lord, and know my heart today, try me O Saviour know my thoughts I pray and see if there is any wicked way in me and cleanse me from every sin and set me free".
When we keep in God's Word we cannot go wrong. He will strengthen us and be with us all the way.
It takes Spiritual discipline which I have not perfected. Since I have such a bad memory I will continue to trust JESUS to work in my life and trust in HIS salvation. Without HIM I can do nothing, with HIM I can do all things.
I would just like to mention that the verb translated "woven together" in v.15b is a special word used to describe the decorative weaving of precious metals. Doesn't that emphasize how special and intricate God's attention is to us?
We must remain prayful. I was out cutting my grass and with each pass with the lawnmower, I praised God with my voice. I have never enjoyed cutting grass like I did today. He is not just a Sunday God or a God who is available when we are in need. We should be working on our relationship with Him at all times. If we are not reading, studying and praying, we are not giving God our best. Our focus should be on Him and Him alone.
Taking advantage of God's presence with us starts with communion with God through daily bible study and prayer. From this we are more focused on God and more aware of his presence which we will feel whether we are at work or play. As the psalmist says even in the darknest night he is present. We now have a counselor who we can call for an answer to every question or to direct every action that we take. The only wise God, what an advantage to have God as our consultant, how vast is the sum of his thoughts.
I find this particular chapter wonderful. It tells me that my Father knew as I was growing in my mother's womb and watched over me just as he is watching over me today as an adult. The way I know that HE is with me always is that he is continually talking with me-- whether through his Word or through the world. As a member of RUI I am working very hard on getting to know HIM better.