I’m gonna spend some time this month in Psalm 139 and see what God does with that. I’m inviting you along for the ride.

(New Life Version) 139 O Lord, You have looked through me and have known me. ² You know when I sit down and when I get up. You understand my thoughts from far away.

I started the week with the intention of reading through the whole Psalm and I had to stop after the first two verses. They really messed me up…in a good way. My heart was moved in such a deep way I had to put it down, but I’ve meditated on just these two verses throughout this week.

To think that God knows me strikes some fear initially, kind of like a guilty child, but quickly turns to a deep amazement that He cares about lil’ o me. He sees everything in me and knows me and understands me. How many of us spend so much time trying to be understood? GOD UNDERSTANDS!

I love looking at scripture in different translations or paraphrases for the purpose of something new coming to light for me.

(The Message)

139 ^1-6 God, investigate my life;
get all the facts firsthand.
I’m an open book to you;
even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.

In reading this I felt even more guilty. I mean don’t you get investigated for doing something wrong? But I found hope that He’d get all of the facts firsthand. He’s not gathering SOME facts, but ALL of them. I know that with all of the facts I’m still guilty. I’m sinful. But all of the facts include how Christ died on the cross for my sin which leaves me forgiven. Praise the Lord!

My last thought is on “open book”. How many of us live our lives as an “open book”? Does the society we live in require us to live behind masks? What are we hiding behind pristine houses and well manicured yards? When is it time for us to start sharing what we are thinking or maybe even going through. God already knows it. His Word tells us in Genesis 50:20 “²⁰ You planned to do a bad thing to me. But God planned it for good, to make it happen that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” God uses our tough stuff to save others when we can get out of our own way and allow Him to shine through our brokenness.

Can I pray for you?

O Lord, You have looked through us and have known us. You know when we sit down and when we get up. You understand our thoughts from far away. Forgive us for getting stuck in fear of what others will think. Forgive us for pride and not serving You with humility. Give us Your strength to share Your story through our broken and imperfect places that others would find you amidst the chaos of this world. Thank you for loving us so much that you gave up Your son to die that we might live. We praise Your Holy Name! Amen.