Mark spoke this morning from Psalm 139, a psalm of David which looks at how God knows us better than we know ourselves. We often find it hard to predict how we will react in certain situations, but God knows our thoughts before we speak and He knows all our actions before they happen. He has searched us and knows us – which can be reassuring when we think about the positive things in our lives, but can be challenging when we think of all our many failings. To be known by God is humbling; He made us and comprehends our paths (‘winnowing’ them so that all the rubbish is sifted from our lives.)
God protects us from dangers both seen and unseen and His presence is always with us – behind us, before us and all around us. His hands underpin us, adding stability to our lives when we feel life is crashing down around us. God gives us both physical and spiritual guidance, shedding light on our paths. We are skilfully made by a master embroiderer – no wonder David feels that the thoughts God has for him are too much for him to comprehend!
God knew what we would become even before He made us; we are special, chosen and blessed by Him. David goes on to pray against those who hate widkedness and concludes the psalm by praying for God to search him, know him, test him, know his anxious thoughts, see if there is any offensive or wicked way in him and lead him in the way everlasting. (Ps 139:23-24) This is a challenging prayer, for we have to be willing to take heed of God’s answers and verdicts and act on what He says. This psalm reminds us that we are blessed and chosen by God and fully known and accepted by Him, which should result in both humility and thankfulness on our part.
