The Closeness of God | The Mid-Week Memo | January 15, 2025

In Psalm 139, David marvels at the closeness of God – that there’s nowhere he can go to be outside the Lord’s presence. Have you ever felt this way about God’s presence?

When I was in elementary school, probably 1st or 2nd grade, I recall standing in a field near our playground – gazing into a blue sky filled with white billowing clouds – imagining the God of the universe was up there somewhere watching my every move. I created an image of what He looked like formed using those very same clouds. At first, it was a delightful notion, but then it turned into fear. Oh no, what if I do something wrong or say something I shouldn’t? Then what? Will I get zapped by that same God?

That’s not exactly the question David was asking in his observations.

You have searched me, Lord,
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, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay 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. (vv. 1-10 NIV)

I remember singing a song written with the lyrics from the later verses in that text. I repeat them often having memorized the words.

God is always with us. That’s a comforting truth to hold onto. In a world that’s full of chaos and uncertainty, the one thing we know for sure is that He loves us and watches over every one of His kids, even the ones who require fear, like me, to be cast out by His perfect love.

And that’s the mid-week memo.

Steve

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