We have heard it said on many occasions that David was a man after God's own heart. Psalm 139 is a prayer of one who has had an intimate knowledge of and experience with God. The writer was David and up to this point he has led a wonderful life. This particular Psalm was probably written when he desired to build the temple. However, the temple would be built later by David's son Solomon. In the Psalm he is merely describing his humble walk with God and sharing his knowledge of the Lord God attained from a life of experiences. He begins by speaking of the wonder of God's knowledge. God's knowledge is Omniscient: this means that God knows all. In the first 6 verses, we see this described- “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.” There is much man knows but only God knows it all. His word tells us he knows the hairs on the head. Now for me that is not something that requires a lot from God. For some of you though that might be a significant achievement on God’s part. He knows when birds fall from a nest. God knows all and knew that you would need a Savior so he established a lamb that would be slain from the very foundation of the world He created. More on this a little later. Then he continues to describe the Wonder of God's presence. God's presence is Omnipresent: this means that God is everywhere at all times. In verse 7-12 he describes- “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” The atheist wrote on the chalkboard: "GOD IS NOWHERE". But a Christian used the eraser and made a significant change so that it read: "GOD IS NOW HERE". It is important to know that God is everywhere and there is. O where you can go to escape Him. I find that so comforting but also very disturbing. I am comforted knowing when life is going astray He is there with me. I find myself disturbed when I consider things I have done in which He was there and I am embarrassed by my actions. He continues in verses 13-18 to describe the wonder of God's power. God's power is omnipotent: He is all-powerful and he describes it this way- “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.” He completes his list of the wonders of God by considering the wonder of God's judgment. There is something very important to know about His judgment. God's judgment is always consistent and He never varies in His judgment. Look at how this is described in verse 19-24- “Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain. Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Earlier I said that God knows all and knew that you would need a Savior so he established a lamb that would be slain from the very foundation of the world He created. More on this a little later, well here it is for you- It is important that we are reminded that we are all sinners by nature and by choice. In Romans 3:23 Paul said "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." As well, there is a clarity which comes when we understand that we cannot save ourselves. In Ephesians 2:9 we re told that it is "Not of works, lest any man should boast." In the final analysis we deserve death and hell. God’s Word is clear "For the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23a God is holy and just and must punish sin, yet he loves us and has provided forgiveness for our sins. Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." as recorded in John 14:6. Jesus died for us on the cross. In Peter’s first Epistle, I Peter 3:18 said "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 53:6 which said that "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." You might be reading this today and you know Jesus as your Savior and Lord. So these are sobering, renewing, and challenging words to read. You may know someone today that does not know Jesus as their Savior. Why don’t you send this to them? Ask them to read it and then plan to talk with them and answer their questions and encourage them to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. If you read this and make a decision let us know by sending us an email to info@ElbertNasworthy.com or if you have a question, we would be happy to answer it for you. A thought to ponder, Elbert Nasworthy
