PSALM 139:1-4 – 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.”

So, imagine this happening. Next Lord’s Day morning, the normal routine of the service is altered. Our pastor says, “We are going to do something a little different. The goal is to build community by realizing just how much we are alike, how much we share common struggles, common sins, and need common grace among us.” We sit in our sanctuaries and think, “This might really be good. I long for more Biblical reality and genuine fellowship in my life and with other believers.” Then the pastor says, “We have been given a unique tool to help us achieve our goal this morning. Unknown to each of us, but for the past seven days, every thought entertained, every word spoken, place we went, what we viewed with our eyes, and pondered in our hearts has been recorded–every detail–and one-by-one, we are going to have this recording played on the large screen for all to view.” So, who wants to go first? Or who might be feeling a little too sick to be in church on that day?

Though such an exposing event will never be a reality in any of our churches, it is already a reality in our lives before the God we claim to know, love, and follow. David knew it. Today’s scripture explodes with his awareness of God’s all-knowing Being and His complete knowledge of David–all of him. Whether sleeping, sitting, or going about his day, he is in the presence of the God who knows. And so are we. Constantly. With such humble awareness, remember two things.

First, living in the presence of God who knows us inside and out should produce a lifestyle passionate about pleasing Him in all things, in all places, and all the time. This type of living is summed up in these words of the Apostle Paul – For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s(Romans 14:8).  If we are striving in thought, word and deed, the constant presence of God is of great comfort and strength.

Next, and this is a big one, despite God knowing everything about us, inside and out, He still loves us. How unlike human love that is so fickle! God is love and despite all of our failings, willful sinning, and falling short, His love upon us is constant. Yes, despite all these things, He loves us anyway. And that is a strong motivator to love Him back and strive to live always pleasing in His eyes.

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for Your steadfast love always on me despite my many failings.”
QUOTE: “God knows everything about us and yet, His love remains a constant on us. Rejoice.”

Because of Him,
Pastor Jim