12192021 Psalm 139

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God who knows us better than anyone else does and who cares for us more than anyone else can. Thank God that He ministers to us very personally and purposefully based on our needs. Lately I’ve been reading extensively in the Psalms, and last night (after a frustrating day that contained more jobs than energy) I opened to the next psalm - #139, and God ministered it to my heart.

I was encouraged by so many truths that I wanted to share this psalm with you. Since it is so familiar, and for sake of space, I haven’t written out all the verses, but just a few prompting words along with my thoughts. You might be profited to refer to your Bible to see the full verses.

v. 1 – searched me and known me. This is the deepest knowledge possible. God knows me in every detail and in every moment, as the following verses will note.

v. 2a – downsitting and uprising. Most of the time we barely even consider something so trivial, but there are days in life when sitting down is especially welcomed and getting up is a burden and more than we want to do. On those days, God knows every inconvenience and every overdraft on our energy.

v. 2b – thought afar off. On those kinds of days, our thoughts can be troubled, weary, anxious, frustrated. God understands those thoughts.

v. 3 – my path and my lying down. He thoroughly knows everywhere we go (the verb is like winnowing grain to separate out what is worthy from the junk). He knows every detail of every aspect of life. He knows when we lie down – in the middle of the day, far earlier than normal, or even if we are prevented from lying down until long after the normal time.

v. 4 – a word in my tongue. Before I say it, before I think it, He knows what is on my mind and in my heart. In fact, whether or not I actually end up expressing it, He knows it. This includes both the good, like the aspirations of my heart, and the bad, like the dark or frustrated thoughts prompted by difficulty.

v. 5 – behind and before. He has me covered. He has my back and my front. Beyond that, He places His hand on me. That loving and reassuring hand, reminding me of His presence and His care.

v. 6 – too wonderful for me. I’m glad God knows me this well. Such deep and detailed knowledge of my frailty stirs His compassion. (Psalm 103:13-14; Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15-16). And it means He now has the opportunity to help me effectively, since He knows my need and my weakness.

v. 7 – whither shall I go. He is with me everywhere.

v. 8 – heaven, hell. If it were possible for me to leave this world, He would still be with me. In fact, when I do leave this world, He will be with me.

v. 9 – uttermost parts of the sea. If I stay in this world, even going to the remotest and most isolated spot I can imagine, He is there with me.

v. 10 – lead me, hold me. It isn’t just that He is there with me even in that remote place, although He is. Additionally, He is guiding me even there. He is working and leading even there. There is direction and purpose.

v. 11-12 – darkness and light. Darkness and nighttime can be awful. When our thoughts go wild. When we are cut off from distractions or activities or people or support. This can be the most alone that we ever are, and the darkness can be oppressive. But those limitations don’t hinder God. Darkness is nothing to Him, and He sees us just as well then as on the brightest day.

v. 13-15 – fearfully and wonderfully made. God made me, deliberately and carefully. He made my body exactly as He wants it to be, even with its defects and imperfections. He knew when He made me about how those factors would impact my life. Yet even with the imperfections, He has made an amazing body. For the most part, those body systems work like they are supposed to work. The immune system fights. The brain controls. The heart keeps pumping life.

v. 16 – all were written. He knew every one of my days before I lived any of them. They are written in His book. This is more than just foreknowledge. This includes also planning and purpose. Planning and purpose that He knew and wrote down before I even existed.

v. 17-18 – His thoughts. He thinks about me all the time. Other people might forget and certainly are limited in how often and how long they can focus on us, but with God, it is constant.

v. 18b – when I awake. Still with Him. Or rather, He is still with me. Meaning that He did not go anywhere during the night. He stayed with me even while I was sleeping and unconscious of life. He kept overseeing and protecting when I was completely powerless and oblivious.

v. 23-24 – search me, know me, lead me. Those who give the best solutions are those who most thoroughly understand the challenges. I’m not always in the best spot in my heart and in my thoughts, but because God knows all of it, He knows exactly how to best guide me.

I pray that these thoughts about this wonderful psalm will encourage your hearts as well, and that the ever-present and all-knowing God will graciously guide you and uphold you with His loving care.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA