Today I sat and read scripture I have read many times before, but God in His grace and mercy allowed His presence to surround me and remind me of the truth, He knows me. I assumed He had led me to these verses for someone else, so I promptly shared the verses with a sweet friend. My thoughts were sincere, she needed to know that God created her uniquely and that He took time to make her who she is, and He is with her. He is there when she looks and lives out her life exactly as He planned and He is there when she stumbles and finds herself face down in the pit that tripped her up. I wanted her to be reminded of that because she is His child, He knows her thoughts, as scary as that might be, and He loves her. He is “acquainted” with her ways. There is nowhere she can go from His Spirit. Such beautiful and comforting words.
Then as I pondered, who am I kidding, I chewed hard on all these words all morning. While I know they were for her, I believe they were also for me. A sweet reminder in this season of change, in this time of asking what He wants me to do next, in my searching for the direction I am to go. I kept going back to one of the verses that kept ringing truth in my heart, “You ‘hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” A memory floats around in my mind of one of my girls when they were small. I see my husband and I walking with a three year old full of energy. Curious about everything around her, unaware of the possible dangers or obstacles that may be in her path. We stand on each side of her, watching where we are walking, scanning the area around us, clasping her tiny hands as she struggles to break free and run ahead. We see an unfriendly dog and my husband instantly pushes her and myself behind him. I pick her up and stand protected behind him, his arm and hand extended back to protect. I am reminded that God is watching me, that He is looking ahead, He is scanning the area for any threats there may be, hemming me in when needed, laying His capable hand on me to protect and, yes, comfort from any fears that may arise.
We often think we can get so far from God that there is no way back. We think, somehow we are capable of going to a place He cannot go to bring us back. He pursues us, always. You cannot hide from God. He knows you. He’s watching and knows the path you have been on and He is waiting for you to realize He is there, waiting for you to acknowledge Him and call out to Him. To know that He knows and that He cares. He won’t push in. He waits for you to allow Him back into your life.
As you read these verses, take in the comfort and rest in the promise that He is watching and He knows you. He has plans for you. He is making a way for you. He is protecting. There is nowhere you can go from His Spirit! Turn toward Him now and be wrapped in His embrace and let Him love on you.
Psalm 139:1-12
O Lord, you have search 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. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol (hell), you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you.
Dana2day 