Psalm 139:1-10 O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

The first ten verses of Psalm 139 speaks of God’s intimate knowledge of us. He knows exactly who we are. And these verses affirm God’s ongoing presence in our lives. There is nowhere we can go that God will not be with us.

When II read the rest of the Psalm, the thoughts there struck me as especially timely. In verse 17 David wrote “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!” We need that to be our attitude. We are so quick to share our thoughts and wants and desires with God and the world, but do we take the time to consider His thoughts and desires? There is nothing wrong with making our requests known to the Lord. He wants us to come to Him with any and everything. We just need to be sure it is not a one-sided conversation. We need to be listening to Him as well.

We should adopt the attitude of Samuel:

1 Samuel 3:9 “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

He did such a good job of listening to and then sharing God’s Word that he was seen as trustworthy and reliable. That was affirmed a few verses later.

1 Samuel 3:19 “The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground.”

At the end of Psalm 139 David makes his requests known to the Lord:

Psalm 139:19–24 “If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

I have had similar thoughts and prayers as I look at the world around me, those who are powerful and influential through televised media and online.  So many of their values and intentions are diametrically opposed to God’s Will. What should be the response of those who follow Jesus?

Listen to what He says. Follow His example. Be a light in the darkness. Overcome evil with good. Remember He is always with you, no matter what you are experiencing. Mordecai encouraged Esther with these words:

Esther 4:14 “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

You and I are also in a position to do great things for God. Live out your calling as His disciple. Here is one of the things Jesus told us to do that is always worth remembering:

Matthew 5:44 “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Lord, help us to live as your people and in keeping with your will. Remind us always of the treasure we have in knowing you have redeemed us from sin and death and the power of the devil through your life and death and resurrection. Keep us faithful. Strengthen us to respond to your goodness with lives that show your love to others. Amen.