God’s Way in My Life - Psalms 139:1-24

 

God’s Way in My Life - Psalms 139:1-24

Background:

The Psalm may have been written by David or but there are indications in the original language that it was written after David, but in a style that was like David’s original psalms and so it was called “a psalm of David.” I will approach the passage as though it were written by David.

It can be divided into 4 stanzas or strophes to use a fancy poetic term.

Vss. 1-6. Are about the Omniscience of God in relationship to the life of the Psalmist. O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Vss. 7-12 deal with the Omnipresence of God as the Psalmist understands it in his ways. Whither shall I go from thy spirit?

Vss. 13-18 praise the Foreknowledge and Omnipotence of God this time even before the Psalm writer was born. My substance was not hid from thee.

Vss. 19-24 consider the Holiness of God against the wickedness in the world and in his own life. Surely thou wilt slay the wicked. Search me, O God and know my heart, see if there be any wicked way in me.

God's Way Knows My Life - Psalms 139:1-6

 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.  Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.  Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

God's Omniscience In David’s Life

These opening verses describe the omniscience of God.

Definition: Omniscience

By the omniscience of God, we mean that He knows Himself and all other things, whether they be actual or merely possible, whether they be past, present, or future, and that He knows them perfectly and from all eternity.  He knows thins immediately, simultaneously, exhaustively and truly.  He also knows the best ways to attain His desired ends. - Henry Thiesan "Lecture in Systematic Theology"

In Hebrews 4:13 it says, "There is no creature that is not manifest in his sight; but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do."

Proverbs 5:21 - For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

But to David, God's omniscience was much more than a definition or a scripture. David understood God’s attributes as he experienced them in his own life. Notice how personal God’s omnipotence is in David’s life. He says,

 1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me! (The verb “search” means “to examine with pain and care.” The Jewish language used this word to describe digging down into a mine, exploring a land, or researching a legal case.)

 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you understand my thoughts from even far away. (Understand” means “to distinguish and discern with insight.” It is not just gathering data and facts but understanding the person behind the facts.)

3 You compass my path and where I lay down and you are familiar with all my ways. (Compass” is a picture of winnowing grain, the idea not just of seeing David’s path but of intimately investigating it, tracking it and deciphering it.)

4 Even before I speak a word, behold, O LORD, you know what I was going to say.

5 You beset, surround me as I go, and lay your protecting hand over me. (God hems David in, like a flanking of guards escorting him, as he goes. The word has the idea of guarding something valuable.)

To David God’s omniscience in his life was not an invasion but a wonderful reassurance of God's care and protection. It meant that not only did God know all about him but even more, He knows the way that is best, He protects David as someone who is precious, covering him with His own hand.

This is what inspired the writer of this Psalms. The high and holy God of Israel, knew him personally and intimately and, in God’s all knowing of the psalmist, he saw the love of his God.

He sums it up in vs 6 “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”

Awed or Afraid of God's Knowledge of us

What about us are we awed by God’s knowledge of us or are we afraid of? Do we rejoice as David did, that this knowledge is more than just one of God's attributes or characteristics but is to us a reflection of His personal interest in us. The difference between awe and offense, probably depends on my relationship with the One who knows all things.

If I am His child, then this knowledge is wonderful. But if I am not His, if I refuse to acknowledge the God who created, loved and paid the price of his own son’s life for my redemption, then such knowledge bring resentment.

The darkness and sin of this world cannot hide the child of God from the love of his heavenly Father, nor can the darkness of sin hide the unrepentant from the sight of the holy and righteous God. You cannot choose and be hidden from God, but whether you rejoice in that truth or resent that truth, that is your choice.

As a child of God, I can appreciate and find strength in God's knowledge of who I am. I will be awestruck by what God and I share, this intimacy that God has with me, this tender open relationship which His omniscience has made possible.

God is the only One in all the universe you can be totally honest with.  You certainly can't hide anything from Him, so just be open, honest and fully enjoy the fellowship of God.

“I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” – Ira Stanphill

When I think of this passage, I can’t help but think of the song “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” written by that great hymn writer Ira Stanphill. Stanphill was an Assembly of God pastor and song writer, possibly because of his calling and traveling as an evangelist, lost his wife Zelma, who left him and then divorced him. During this time Stanphill went into a depression, wondering what the future could hold for a divorced pastor and hymn writer. One day as he was driving home during this time of turmoil he began humming a tune and thinking. “I just don’t know about tomorrow” and a few more words of the song come. He got home rushed into the house, sat down at the piano and wrote out the song, “I know who holds tomorrow.” It is a song, like Psalm 139 that reflects the omniscience of God in a believer’s life and it gave Ira Stanphill and still give us hope and faith for tomorrow.

I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine,
For its skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Refrain: Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand.

David continues in the next stanza to revel in this intimate relationship with God. From God's Omniscient knowledge of his life, he now considers God's omnipresence, in his life, in vs. 7-12

God’s Way Encompasses My Life - Psalms 139:7-12

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.  

God's Omnipresence

David in this Prayer psalm speaks to God and praises Him for always being with him, no matter where he is, no matter where he might be and no matter how dark the place that he finds himself. What David is describing is the attribute of God we call omnipresence.

Definition: Omnipresence

By the omnipresence of God we mean His infinitude in relation to His creatures. Because God is immense, He is omnipresent. - Henry Thiessen. (Isn’t that a great definition? When was the last time you heard the word infinitude? I bet it will be a while before you hear it again.) What Thiessan is saying is that God fills all the universe therefore His is everywhere in the universe.

I also like this definition from the American Heritage Dictionary: Omnipresence is being present everywhere simultaneously.

The prophet Jeremiah wrote what God said about this in Jeremiah 23:23-24 Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? 24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD

Paul said this in Acts 17:27, "He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live, and move, and have our being"

David's definition, really his description, is again very personal, in vss 7-8, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.”

You might think that David is talking about trying to run from God, but I don’t get that impression. This is not a man being tracked down by an angry God, but a man who is rejoicing in his relationship and protection of his God. As you read the verses you can tell he was so glad, that God was with him at all times.  Look at vs 9-12

Psalms 139:9-12 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.  12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

David says, Your hand leads me wherever I might find myself even to the furthest edges of the sea. Even in unknown places and lands, David says, “Your right hand, the hand of power, will still hold me.”

Verse 11, “If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

David says, “I may feel that I am covered in the utter darkness of the blackest night, but Your presence, Oh God, turns the darkest night of my soul is turned into light, because your presence vanquishes the dark. God sees through the darkness as though it were light and I am not alone.

Comforted by God's Presence In My Life

This is also one of the greatest promises for the NT believer. We can find hope and reassurance by knowing that God is always with us. I know how much it means to me. When I am utterly helpless, when I am most vulnerable, when all my strength is dried up, it is at those times that I am so thankful that I am not alone, God is always with me.

Many of you have experienced times like that. You have gone through health crises, or  the loss of the ones you loved, or you’ve been betrayed by someone who you trusted or you’ve suffered financial catastrophes. In those times the Holy Spirit who indwells us, reminds us that we are not alone, God is with us. The Spirit brings to mind the promises from God’s word, that His presence is unfailing, unwavering, and undeniable.

Listen for you can hear Jesus telling you as you go through that trial, "I will not leave you comfortless, I will come unto you." in John 14:18

In Matthew 28:20 Where Jesus says, "Lo, I am with you alway.  Even to the end of the world."

And again the wonderful words of David in Psalms 23:3-4 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

I heard a story once about Daniel Boone, that might fit here. 

I know you’re thinking what in the world does Daniel Boone have to do with Psalms 139? But here is the story, you decide. Boone, probably the greatest explorer of the new United States, was having his portrait painted, yes he was that famous. The painter making conversation asked him in all his wandering of the tractless forests of the frontier had he ever gotten lost?

Daniel thought for a moment and then said, “Well I can't say I was really ever lost, but I will admit to being a mite bewildered for about 3 days once.”

For the child of God, you can never be lost. You might, like Daniel Boone, be bewildered for a few days, but you’re not lost because God is there with you. Never underestimate or take for granted the great gift of God’s presence in your life and along the way you walk.

The theologian, J. I Packer wrote a book titled, "Knowing God" In it he said, "Living becomes an awesome business when you realize that you spend every moment of your life in the sight and company of an omniscient, omnipresent God.

Listen, I never can be sure of the outcome of every trial I go through, but I can always be sure of the One who goes through that trial with me.

David reveled and rejoiced in the great truth of God’s omnipresence and so should we, but David has not finished his Psalm of Praise to God. Next, he is humbled by the power of God in his life even before his birth.   Look at vs 13-16

God's Way Overwhelms My Life - Psalms 139:13-16

 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

God's Omnipotence and Foreknowledge

Here we see a description of God’s omnipotence as it is directly touched David in his conception, birth and the life he lived.

Only God has the power and foreknowledge to be able to design and create all mankind and the power and foreknowledge in an individual’s life from eternity past, to conception to life’s completion. So, now, let me give you another deep, theological, mind-expanding definition.

Definition: Omnipotence

By the omnipotence of God we mean that He is able to do whatever He wills.  - Henry Thiesan. (Is your mind expanded? That is a pretty succinct definition. God does whatever God chooses to do.)

Jeremiah said it this way, "Ah, Lord Jehovah; behold, thou hast made the heavens and the earth by they great power and by thine outstretched arm; there is nothing too hard for thee." – Jer 32:17

Jesus said it this way in Matthew 19:26 - Jesus … said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

And once again notice how David views God power. He sees it as it is experienced in his own life. This isn’t an abstract theological truth to David, it is the practical, experiential truth that he has experienced and lived.

He says, “You have possessed my reins.” (You control my path. You steer me where I need to go.)

You have covered me in my mother’s womb. (the Hebrew word , saw- kak, means to fence in or weave a covering over for protection.)

He says, I will praise thee because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (The idea here is that God had an purpose in the creation of David and for his life.)

Finally, David says, "I can only praise you, when I see your power in my very existence,  birth and life."

 God's Power In My Life

Do we see the wonder of God's gift of life and the human vessel that holds it? The intricacies of the human body and mind are truly miracles of God. Do you also realize that of all the millions of possible combinations of DNA, and chromosomes from your parents, grandparents and as far back as Adam and Eve, of all the millions of possibilities that could have been, You  were the final result that by God’s power and foreknowledge was born. Your life, my life, our very existence, is the surest reminder of God in my life. 

Let me deal with a related issue for just a moment.  Let me say a few words about the greatest legal sins in our country today.

Abortion, homosexuality and transsexuality are more than just another sin. They are in truth blasphemy against God as creator. Both sins deny God's power and sovereignty over life, the family and creation. These sins make man the arbitrator of what is right or wrong, who lives, who dies, who you marry, what gender you are, and what the family is. Yet, these are things that God alone can and has ordained.

Sins like these willfully and rebelliously ignore God’s word, his will and his power in life itself, and that is blasphemy, a lie against the creator Himself.

Let me give you a few verses that deal with God power over life itself.

Isaiah  49:1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

Psalms 127:3  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Ezek  18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine:

God’s design, creation and knowledge of man from before conception to completion of life show the omnipotence of God. How does David feel about all this? Its in the next verse, vs. 17.

God’s Way Becomes My Life - Psalms 139:17-18, 23- 24

17-18 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

God’s Holiness

David contemplates about all that God is to him and his response is, I’m overwhelmed. I can’t count the ways you touch my life. You my God are always thinking about me! I can’t comprehend this. I can’t quantify the number of your thoughts, your good intentions, your blessings toward me, the number would be greater than the sands of the seashore or desert. When I wake up, I discover that even as I slept and couldn’t think of you, you were still thinking of me!

David is so in awe of God in his life, so grateful that God is with him that it angers him that the wicked refuse the Lord in their life and even speak against Him. Here he sees the holiness of God in the world.

Vss 19- 22 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

Then David realizes something about his own life and the holiness of God and he says in vv. 23-24  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

“Search every aspect of my life and try me” David says, the word try means “to test metal, see if it is pure and genuine.” He asks God to see if there is anything of wickedness in him and then to lead him in the way everlasting. David’s wants his path to be the path God wants him to walk. David’s life is overwhelmed by God’s way.

Because of all the ways God has touched David’s life he comes to this place of complete surrender and submission. “God lead me where you want me to go, let me walk with you in the way everlasting.”

Conclusion: What of God’s way in our life?

 Will we surrender completely as David did? Will we be willing to let God search us and test, drawing out the dross of sin that He might cleanse us for His way?

What else can we do?  When the One who has all power, all knowledge and is in all places at all times, reaches down into the deepest places of my heart, and whispers, "I know you.  I know what you're going through. I know every detail of your life, every victory, every joy, every failure and every sorrow. I knew them all before you were born. I am the One who holds the reins of your life. I am the One whose hands covered you in the womb. I am the One who watches over you through the night and it is by My power that you rise in the morning.  

Now, Will you yield yourself completely that you might fully experience the joy and wonder walking the way everlasting with Me?

The hymn, "Search Me Oh God" is based upon Psalms 139. The words of this great hymn reflect the same heart of surrender that David come to at the end of his psalms. May it also be our heart as well. 

Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from ev'ry sin and set me free.

3 Lord, take my life and make it wholly thine;
Fill my poor heart with thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride;
I now surrender; Lord, in me abide.