GOD’S GREATNESS
Psalm 139:1–4, 7–16
Psalm 139 is a masterpiece of David. This psalm reminds us of how special we are to God. In contemporary language, “God gets us.” God knows us better than we know ourselves.
My wife is good at knowing what I will say before I know what I will say, but our great God knows us in a greater way than a spouse. Psalm 139 also gives us the perspective of God on the beginning of life, the meaning of life and the evil of abortion.
His Knowledge (1–4)
God is the ultimate source of human life. Psalm 139 opens with the theme of God’s knowledge of the psalmist. The all-knowing God searched David and knew him intimately, including the daily routines of David’s life — when he sat down and when he stood.
My smartwatch keeps track of my daily minutes of standing for health reasons. But God keeps a more detailed account of the times I stand up than my watch does.
God knows our daily routine — our travels, our rest, our ways, our plans, our goals and purpose as well as our failures. God knows what we are thinking — before we know what we might say to another person.
God has searched us and knows us better than we know ourselves. God knows every aspect of our lives.
His Presence (7–12)
We cannot escape God’s Spirit. There is nowhere on earth or in the universe to which we can flee from God’s presence because God is always present at every place of His creation — east or west. The psalmist highlights a comforting benefit from God. Regardless of our physical location, God’s hand will lead us and hold onto us.
It’s possible David wanted to hide from God at some point but discovered this was impossible because darkness and light are alike to God. God knows firsthand all about our lives because He is present everywhere.
His Power (13–16)
The message of the third section is that individuals are fearfully and wonderfully made.
The Creator God made each part of each person’s body in all its wonder and glory. Our bodies are miracles from God and point to a creator. We are neither an accident nor a mistake.
I once served at a state school for adults with mental challenges. I conducted chapel one night a week using simple songs and Bible lessons. While these individuals functioned at low intellectual levels, each person was wondrous and precious to me and to God.
Nothing is hidden from God. God saw the psalmist when he was formless in the early stages of life. David stated that his life and all life is precious and meaningful from conception to the grave. God had a plan for David’s life before he lived a single day.
God’s purpose for our lives gives us meaning and significance. Psalm 139 is a powerful passage about the sacredness of life and the value God gives to everyone.
What do these verses reveal about the comfort and peace of God’s presence? How can you allow God to use your gifts and abilities for His Kingdom this week?
By Mark Rathel
Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in DeFuniak Springs, Florida
