Pastor Travis Burkett
Have you had a time in your life when you wonder if anyone cares that you are there? Do you ask yourself the questions, “Does anyone notice me?” “Why do I feel empty?” “Do I even matter?”
Have you ever felt this way? Maybe in times of isolation, you are feeling emptiness as you wonder what’s going to happen. As Christians, we can feel secure that God is all-seeing, all-knowing, all-holy, and all-present. We can rest assured that God knows us and His greatest gift is to allow us to know Him!
King David explains in Psalm 139 that God’s love finally gave Him what he was looking for:
Verse 1, “O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.”
Verses 13-14, “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.”
Verse 16, “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.”
We see that God is the water which can quench our thirst. His love is the security that we need to feel safe. His presence is the purpose which gives us contentment.
The Bible says that God knew me in the womb. Before my mother thought of me, God knew me. He didn’t just know me but God loved me! He created a plan for my life. He is watching over me. Matthew 10:30 says that not even a hair falls from my head without the knowledge of God. I can rest assured that I can know the God who knows all!
My wife and I recently had our first child. It’s such an exciting journey! I thank the Lord for our baby, Acelyn. Let me tell you, I’m amazed how aware my wife, Tesslyn, is even in the smallest things. She knows when Acelyn is about to fall and catches her at the perfect time. She reacts before I even notice! Yet, God knows us and watches us more closely than the most attentive, love-struck mother. Look at verses 6-8:
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 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.”
Friend, you can’t escape God’s love. God is omnipresent—He is everywhere! The Bible calls us sinners. We struggle with sin daily and yet, He loves us. Even in the midst of dying on the cross Jesus said in Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” This is good news for those who know and love God, because no matter what we do, we can never be too far from God’s comforting presence.
Verses 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.”
I hope you read these verses and take hope that in the times of isolation, you are precious to God. The God of the universe was willing to face humiliation, beatings, and mocking just so we could know Him. If you’re going through a season of feeling unknown, overlooked, or empty, I encourage you to take confidence in God’s great love for you. God’s love is richer, deeper, and lasts longer than any other love. You matter to God!
I love how David ends this Psalm. Verses 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.”
David asks God to search and point out any sin. David recognized how sin causes chaos in his relationship with the Father. We see David take his commitment a step further and ask God to lead him in the way of everlasting. Lord, help me focus on eternity.
I hope that we will take these verses as prayers to God today. Ask the Lord to search your heart and know your thoughts. May we thank God for the ability to know Him, the One who knows all!