November 29, 2015
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Nowhere to Hide

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Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your light shines through the darkness, Your hope comes to those who wait patiently. Thanks be to God.

Read PSALM 139:1-24

[1]For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. [2] You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. [3] You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. [4] Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. [5] You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. [7] Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? [8] If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. [9] If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, [10] even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. [11] If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” [12] even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. [13] For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. [14] I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. [15] My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. [16] Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. [17] How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! [18] Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand- when I awake, I am still with you. [19] If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! [20] They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. [21] Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? [22] I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. [23] Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

“The 139th Psalm is the soliloquy of a man who has made an astounding discovery–that God knows him personally. The same God also cares for him and considers the smallest details of his life, even the purposes of his mind, before they take thought-form” (A. Leonard Griffith). We have an awesome God!

Imagine a world in which we all carry TV monitors on our heads, broadcasting in real time our every thought. The difference between this and Facebook or Twitter is that there would be no control whatsoever over what appeared on the screen. If we thought it, it would appear (not so different!). Would people feel the same way about us if they knew our every thought?

God’s knowledge of us is complete (1-4), even to the extent of knowing what is coming next (4). His omnipresence means he is able to chart our every move in time and space (7-10). It’s beyond our ability to comprehend (6) and could be very scary, reminding me of the framed verse on my grandmother’s wall: “Thou God seest me” (Gen. 16:13, KJV). There is no hiding place from God, no dark corners where people can plot undetected (11,12).

It goes further. The Lord’s knowledge of us stems back before birth (15), establishing a personhood of even the unborn. He also oversees our unknown future (16). Many might choose to snub us if they knew a quarter of this truth. David finds this level of knowledge overwhelmingly reassuring. Knowledge and power like this in the wrong hands could wreak havoc. In the Lord’s hands it is a cause for confidence and sustenance; his presence is a constant source of protection and peace.

The psalm takes an unexpected turn at verse 19. If you know an all-powerful, loving and protective Lord, who oversees your life for good and will never leave or forsake you, how would you feel about evil? You would hate it. Anything that would disrupt this relationship or undermine this God would be an enemy. The proper response is openness, humility and repentance (23-24).

Apply

Come now to the God who knows your innermost thoughts and feelings. Share how you feel with him and remind your heart that he goes before you and is with you.

Closing prayer

Lord, I come in awe before You. Who You are and what You are like is beyond my comprehension. I bow in submission to You.

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