Psalm 139:1-24
Psalm 139 is truly a beautiful song. David does an exceptional job of showing us how intimately God knows and loves us. I LOVE this psalm. Yet there are parts of it that are a little scary to me. For example, knowing that God has searched and examined my heart and that He knows every detail about me--wow...yikes...I'm not even sure how to completely respond to that. Why? Because I know I'm a sinner and I don't like to think about sins I've committed let alone have God know about them too. Ouch.
Does knowing that God "knows" everything about you affect or influence your relationship with Him? How can you use Psalm 139 to help you deepen your relationship with God? Tami W.
P.S. Hey thanks for being part of P4 in 2011. It's sure been a privilege (and pretty fun) to engage God's Word with you. So as we say goodbye to 2011, would you consider supporting Back to the Bible financially as one of your resolutions for 2012? It's a wonderful way to invest in others, and yourself, eternally! Click here to give. Talk with you next year--like tomorrow! :)
While the first sixteen verses remind us of how much God knows us, vv. 17-24 serve to let us know that God wants us to know Him. We were designed by Him to know Him intimately. These verses show me that He has no limits in His intimate knowledge of me, while also showing me that I should embrace every opportunity to know Him better.
I had just read a blog form a young couple who spent their first Christmas in India as missionaries away from Christians and their families before today's scripture. When I read verses 9 and 10 about settling on the far side of the sea, I felt compelled to send those verses to them to help strengthen them. Isn't God's timing wonderful?
The fine detail that God understands each one of us with means that we need to be ourselves with Him. Prayer and communion with Him can be all so formal yet all of that is veneer with the One we must all deal. God understands our most inner most being so we can go to Him for self-understanding. I believe that loving the one who loves & knows me the best is natural.
As you mention, to know that God knows me so intimately is frightening, especially when I TGI.k about my thoughts, my sins, my character, my behavior ... hoof and not so good. But, when I think about not having him in my life is even more frightening. I thank my heavenly Father for my existence, for loving me unconditionally, for his grace and mercy. And, for his son's death, so that I may live all eternally with them. Thank you Father, in the blessed name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour.
These verses tell me that a relationship with my Heavenly Father is the ultimate truth-based relationship that I can ever have. No other person can know all of me truly like the Lord yet still love me. I have to depend on the Holy Spirit to operate with a true heart because we can think our ways or intnetions are good but only God can reveal our true intentions. I feel totally accountable and dependent on the Lord when I read these verses.
I agree on all points. It is scary to know that God knows my deepest motives, even-more than I do but He still loves me even when I might not love me and I'm eternally grateful for that.
It is great comfort to know that God knows me this well and still loves me! This makes me want to know God more intimately, to let the Holy Spirit guide me, to hunger after His truth.
I love this Psalm. God is always with us, He knows us and still loves us. "Search me, O God and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts (or anxieties). And see if there be any grievous way in me (I like the NLT version "Point out anything in me that offends You"). and lead me in the way everlasting." I feel I need to pray this every day and listen to Him and change my wayward behavior.
Taking a step in the right direction, facing Jerusalem will step by step lead me to...Him. Reflecting on the Psalm kept me moving. Our private views show different theologies which could stop us in our tracks. That problem is one I cannot solve.
I agree with Leslie. I think it is wondersul to know that God knows me so intimately. That shows me how much He cares and loves me. It makes me want to walk uprightly always. I know if I do not, He will still love me and all I have to do is to confess to Him as John in 1John 1:9 says.
There is no ;ove like His and I am humbled to know that a sinful as I am He still speaks to me, still blesses me and my family and friends- still protects, provides and strengthens me. All I have to do is ask.
May He continue to Bless the work of BTTB, Powered by 4 and all the other ministries in 2012. All the very best to you and your families in 2012.
That God knows everything about me is sometimes a comfort and other times scary. I wish since He knew me so well, He would guide me to the scriptures I need to get out of my grief mode and get back to living. I know I am only supposed to grieve for a year and then move on but I just can't get past the guilt and all the other emotions that go with grief. How do I get the devil playing psychological games with me, to stop doing that???? God knows that there were times I resented taking care of my Mom and that I lost my patience with her but HE still loves me so why can't I love myself and forgive myself???
Dear Christine,
I don't know you or anything about your situation, but I can relate to the overwhelming emotions of grief and guilt.
I'm sorry for your pain & all that you have been through.
I wonder if the book "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer might help you understand what is going on with the "devil playing psychological games" with you and how to break that cycle. Her website is www.joycemeyer.org and she also has several free resources - podcasts and monthly magazine etc. This lady's testimony & ministry have helped me immensely.
May you find the peace your spirit is longing for.
Love in Christ,
Melissa
PS. a pray for you dearest Christine ..... Dear Holy Spirit, would you please wrap your great big loving arms around Christine, right now, as she is reading this. Please help her to feel your warmth and Presence. Help her to be able to see how you really feel about her, that she is wearing Your robe of righteousness & there is NO condemnation to her, please help her to experience the strong and deep, peace and rest, that only you can bring to the deepest part of our spirit. Thank you Father, in Jesus name I ask it,Amen.
Christine,
You are human and we will all go through grief. Satan is trying to impede your growth but Jesus is our Light, your light so call upon His Holy name. You, Christine can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. You are accepted, you are forgiven you are Fathered by the One True and Living God. You are accepted no condemnation you are loved by the One, True and Living God. There is no guilt or fear as you draw near to the Saviour and Creator of the heavens and the earth. There is joy and peace as you release your worship to Christ your God.
Christine God will not aallow anyone to clutch you from His hand. Believe and trust in Him and keep in His Word. Christ speaks to you through others. Remember that.
May He strengthen you today as you trust in Him only.
Joan