If you want to know more about God’s nature I’d recommend you to read Psalm 139. In this psalm, David worships God using beautiful poetic language and clear illustrations. Some of the thoughts inspired me so I wanted to share them.
Unfathomable Wisdom
Reading Psalm 139 you can see how great God is compared to a man.
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it” (Ps. 138:6)
In verse 6 David acknowledges that a human brain cannot comprehend the depth of God’s mind, His thoughts, and plans. This verse resonates with the words that God himself said through the prophet Isaiah: “as heaven is higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:9).
All-embracing knowledge
One more example of God’s omniscience can be found in verse 4:
“Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether” (Ps. 138:4)
Before that David says that God knows all of his ways. Isn’t that crazy? God knows our thoughts and understands all the thinking processes happening in our heads. The Bible also says that God knows our needs before we even ask. No person could say that they have such knowledge.
Ubiquitous presence
Moreover, God not only knows about everything but he’s also there all the time! Look what David says about it in verse 7:
“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!” (Ps. 138:7-8)
After that, He mentions other places but we got the idea: you can’t hide from God. Wherever you are (meaning a place or circumstances), He’s always there.
On one hand, this thought sounds a little scary, especially for those who don’t want to have anything in common with God or with holiness: wherever you go you’re always exposed, someone is always watching you.
On the other hand, verse number five - my favorite - shows us very well how we as Christians should view God’s presence:
“You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me” (Ps. 138:5)
What does the word ‘hem’ mean? Because I personally never heard it before. Here are two definitions from the internet:
turn under and sew the edge of (a piece of cloth or clothing);
surround and restrict the space or movement of someone or something.
So basically, if we’re looking at it metaphorically, God surrounds us and makes sure that we won’t get ruined (this is why they hem clothing) or won’t leave somewhere we’re not supposed to. I think the second one here means that he wouldn’t let us get hurt - think about parents restricting their little children when in public or a dangerous place.
Most of all I like the word surround: our God surrounds us to keep us safe and sound! Wherever we are we can count on Him. This is not scary - this is reassuring.
Comforting Closeness
I remember a talk I had with my classmate a long time ago trying to explain to him the hope we have in God. To make it clear to him I came up with an illustration - though I’m convinced that God was the one who put it on my mind.
Imagine that you’re walking through a dark room. There are dangerous things all around you, but you can’t see them, you can’t even see where you’re going. You’re probably alert and scared.
Now imagine that you know for sure that your mom is in that room. She is someone who loves you and cares for you, you trust her, and most importantly - she can see all the dangers around you. So even though you can’t see her and probably can’t hear her either, she gently leads you through everything and makes sure you won’t get hurt. How much better would you feel in this case?
I think this is similar to the life we live on earth: we walk in this sinful world in the darkness, there are dangers all around, and there’s no way for us to foresee them or avoid them. Anyone would be scared and anxious in this situation.
But we are not alone! That’s why Jesus said that he’s sending a Helper of a Comforter to us - the Holy Spirit. His presence surrounds us in any circumstances, keeps us safe from the dangers - more often than we know about it! - and guides us to the best path. Knowing this feels my heart with peace and joy.
Wide Angle
“Behind and before”, says David. God knows everything that we left behind: our experiences, our scars, our actions, and our lessons. He actually was there - protecting us and bringing us here. God also goes before us, which means that He knows our future: our plans and how they actually turn out. And the same way He will bring us there in the best way possible, making us wiser and stronger.
I have to note here, that God’s guidance and protection doesn’t mean that our life will be worry-free and perfect in the way we see it. A lot of Christians (if not all of them) experience pain and suffering on their way. There’s only one thing that I know for sure: “the will of God is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2).
Strengthening Touch
What does David mean by saying “you lay your hand upon me”? As for me, I always thought that laying of hands means either a blessing or anointing. And I believe that both are true here. God does want to bless us and we know that His blessing “makes rich and makes no sorrow with it” (Prov. 10:22)
He also chose us and anointed us to “go and bear fruit” (John 15:16). That’s why I want to encourage you, friends, so that no circumstances, storms, or wars could not lead you astray. God didn’t give us the spirit of fear or the spirit of hatred. He gave us the spirit of love, power, and self-control. So hold on to His promises, imagine Him surrounding you behind and before, and be a support for those who need you.
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