Daily Devotion

Psalm 139.

Like many people, I have a number of favorite psalms I return to again and again.  On my list of favorite top 10 psalms I would include the following:  Psalm 8, 23, 46, 91, 100, 121, 130, 136, 139 and 148.  But if I had to speak which is my all-time favorite at this point in my life I would say Psalm 139.  I also know that a lot of other people would agree this is their favorite psalm too. 

When I read this psalm it feels so personal because it speaks of God knowing me through and through, everything I have done or thought is known by God.  But the psalmist also says  that God knows the deepest center of our being and like a good mentor is aware of the hidden potential that lies within each of us. (Psalm 139:1-6) 

Then this psalm builds by telling its reader that God is everywhere and in every place and that is such beautiful news for the children of God.  (Psalm 139:7-12)  God is like the atmospheric shield that encircles the planet.  God know the depths of our despair and the heights of our joy.  God is Emmanuel, God with us which we  celebrate every Christmas.  And similar to what Paul wrote in Romans 8, the psalmist suggests that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God, not even the darkest places of our lives.

 But the verse in the psalm which gives me solace and peace is this, I come to the end and I am still with you. (Psalm 139:18b)  It gives me such solace that my whole life, my whole being will always be held in God’s hands no matter what happens.  Pastor Alice once quoted in a sermon she preached  a saying found on a greeting card from the Brazilian poet Fernando Sabino, “Everything will be okay in the end.  If it’s not okay, it isn’t the end.”  This verse from the psalm and the quote from Sabino give voice to this. God likes to make all things new, likes to make beautiful things out of dust,  likes restore life, and likes to resurrect that which is dead.  I am grateful that when I come to the end, I will still be with God no matter what.   I thank God for making beautiful things out of our dust, each and every day.

This psalm is filled with the wonder of God’s knowledge, presence and power.  Which verses call forth that sense of wonder for you?  How do you feel about the God who created you, knows you and is always present with you?