Psalm 139

Valerie Elliot meditates on scripture to help us find faith and joy.

Valerie Elliot

It's another day. Another busy week. Another month of expectations. Another year very quickly going by. The realities of everyday life could stir up our faith in God or leave us wondering where He is. I have found meditating on scripture very helpful for going through life with faith and joy.

Though a lengthy read, Psalm 139 expresses God's love for us in a very personal way.

"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!" (Psalm 139:1-6)

Thought: God has perfect knowledge of us. Yes! He knows us intimately, perfectly and without limits. He knows our past, present and future. He sees our good, bad and ugly. We really should be seeking self-discovery from the One who knows us best!

"I can never escape from Your Spirit! I can never get away from Your presence! If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I go down to the grave, You are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there Your hand will guide me, and Your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night, but even in darkness I cannot hide from You. To You the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to You." (Psalm 139:7-12)

Thought: God is present everywhere, every time! This is both a comforting and convicting truth. He always has access to you, and you Him. So, live aware of and in response to His presence, for this is true worship.

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvellous, how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." (Psalm 139:13-16)

Thought: God made you with great pleasure and a great purpose. You matter! Hold your head up and use your gifts passionately. The world is waiting!

"How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, You are still with me!" (Psalm 139:17-18)

Thought: You are always in the Lord's thoughts, deeply loved and never forsaken! He is thinking about you right now.

"O God, if only You would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers! They blaspheme You; Your enemies misuse Your name. O Lord, shouldn't I hate those who hate You? Shouldn't I despise those who oppose You? Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for Your enemies are my enemies." (Psalm 139:19-22)

Thought: Our Lord Jesus loves all and gave His life to save us from all that He hates. The devil, sin and its effects. Those are the true enemies. We are meant to love what He loves and hate what He hates. This should be the posture of our hearts.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (Psalm 139: 23-24)

Thought: Your Heavenly Father knows everything about you and still loves you unconditionally. Open your heart to receive His truth, love, mercy and grace.

Keep meditating, keep believing and keep living!