Thoughts on Psalm 139:2-6

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 to wonderful for me, too great for me to understand.”  Psalm 139:2-6
 
Are you a cup that is half-full or a cup that is half-empty kind of person?  If you are a half-empty cup, you might read verses 2 through 4 of Psalm 139 and be fearful.  “Oh my goodness, God knows what I’m doing every second of my life as well as every thought and action!  I am saved, and yet thoughts sometimes pop into my mind that even I don’t like, much less God!  I wish He didn’t know those things!  And then there are my words; some are said in anger or thoughtlessness, and they’ve hurt others.  I’ve asked God for forgiveness, but Satan continually points his finger at me saying, ‘Shame on you!’ and guilt raises its ugly face.  The half empty cup gets even emptier.
 
Being half-empty is one way of looking at things, but I prefer the half-full cup version!  Because God knows everything about us, He knows what we need at all times—the things that we need both to discipline us and those to encourage us—things that will grow us to become more like His Son, Jesus. 

When we do mess up and sin, God’s correction helps us recognize that; then, when we repent and confess our sin, God promises to forgive, to make us whiter than snow, and tells us we are no longer to feel shame or guilt because Jesus has paid the full price for all sin. 

On the other hand, when we need encouragement, when we feel low, we may find God brings peace to our hearts when we spend time studying and meditating on His Word or when we spend time glorifying Him through the splendor of His creation.  Then there are those times when He’ll have a friend write or phone with an encouraging word; or when He brings to our doorsteps one who says not much, but listens well; or when others arrive who encourage us by relating how we've touched their lives.

How wonderful to know God understands us even better than we understand ourselves, so He knows our every need.  Thus when we read in verse 5 that God goes before and after us, we know He has our welfare and eternal lives in mind.  He is therefore with us in the best of times, cheering us on and rejoicing with us; and in the worst of times, grieving when and if harm is done.  The important thing to remember is that God is THERE—with us—at all times!  

Capping off all this wonderful information is v. 6, “You place Your hand of blessing on my head.”  Blessing—on our heads!  YES!  We are God’s beloved!  “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand.” No truer words ever have been said! 

May you and I always be thankful that God knows everything about us; in fact, we should rejoice in this fact!  Who could we trust more to love us unconditionally or direct our paths more truly than our triune God? 

Psalm 139 tells us how great the Father’s love is for us—total, complete, agape love—unconditional and ever present.  Let us rejoice in our God who loves us beyond what any words can describe!

VERSES:

Psalm 51:7  “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Isaiah1:18  “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be whiter than snow.”

Romans 8:1  “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”

I John 1:9  “But if we confess our sins to Him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

PRAYER:  Father God, thank You that You do know everything about me.  Even though Satan would use the knowledge to cause me to feel guilt or shame, You have shown me that because of my belief in Jesus and His death for me on the cross, I am not to feel condemnation.  So when Satan would fire arrows at me, let me physically point to the palms of my hands, indicating Jesus’ wounds and that I’ve been justified through His obedience when He died on the cross in my place. 

Thank You, also, Father, for being with me always and everywhere!  I need never feel alone or hopeless, for You are everything a Father should be—loving, compassionate, full of mercy and grace; You are the supplier of all my needs and my ever-present King and friend.
 
DISCLAIMER:   I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since.  How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?!

These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him.  However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word.  Therein lies the source of all truth!