Summer of Psalms | Psalm 139

In the summer, we get out of our normal routine. This can lead to a dry season spiritually, a lonely season, or a season even busier than school was. On the flip side, you may find you have more time on your hands than you know what to do with. No matter what the summer brings, the truths in Psalm 139 can shape you and grow you no matter what type of season you are in this summer.

He knows you and is with you

1You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely. (139:1-5)

Psalm 139 is a magnificent Psalm that depicts how a big, almighty, powerful God is also intensely personal. There are 8 billion people on this earth and God deeply knows and deeply loves every single one. Yes, he created everything, but He specifically created you! He is everywhere, but also everywhere with you. He knows everything, yet cares specifically about your everyday life, your thoughts, and your desires. He knows every hair on your head (Luke 12:7). That fact is mind blowing. We can’t comprehend it. How can the Creator of the universe know my name specifically?

It also shows how much He loves and values you! He sees you – your deep thoughts, your insecurities, your sins, your pain – He is with you through the mountains and the valleys. He knows everything about you and still loves you the same. Nothing you can say or do will separate you from His love. He will never leave you or forsake you!

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

He created you to be you

There is no other Kyle Lawrence Pickett on the planet who has the same personality traits, characteristics, passions, dreams, interests, and desires as me. The same is true for you! Knowing this truth, will give us more confidence in who we are because the God of the universe made us this way!

God didn’t make you to be someone else. He made you to be you! When God sees you being you, He looks at you with a proud smile. Psalm 139 beautifully explains that you were an intentional creation. Everything about you was by design. He carefully crafted each and every one of us. We can find peace, joy, and comfort in knowing we were intentionally designed. You were not an accident. You were not a mistake!

13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13-14)

Comparison is such a dangerous road to go down.  When we compare ourselves to others, we focus on other people rather than ourselves – what internship or job they have, what friends they have, what fun things they are doing, looks, education, wealth, personalities, we even compare our faiths. You can’t control other people, you can only control yourself. So, do not waste your time on where other people are at, instead focus on where you want to be and the gifts, talents, and passions God has specifically given you!

Run your own race. It is the only race you know how to run. It is the only race you were created to run. In a track race, if a runner leaves his lane, he is disqualified! When you compare yourself to others, you run out of your lane. It hinders you from running your own race. God has given us each unique talents and abilities that prepares us for our own unique race. Comparison will rob us of the joy we take in each day and take away our hope for a better future.

Whenever you find yourself struggling with comparison, remember you are fearfully and wonderfully made!

I am who you say I am

In this Psalm, David can praise God for the way God created him because God makes no mistakes. God knows us deeply, more than we know ourselves. It doesn’t matter what other people say about you. What matters is what your heavenly Father, your author, your creator, your savior says about you!
 
15My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them! (Psalm 139:15-17)

You are who God says you are! Why? Cause He knows you! He knit you together in your mother’s womb.  He created you to be you!

In Isaiah 55:8-9, we learn that God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways better than ours. So, even when we are struggling with purpose or identity, we know what God says about us. What He says who you are is more important than what you think you are or what you think you aren’t.

Therefore, we can walk confidently everyday knowing the God of this universe knows me, created me, loves me, is with me, and has a specific plan and purpose for my life.

There is a great worship song out there right now by Hillsong called “I Am Who You Say I Am.” The song starts off by asking “Who am I that the highest King would welcome me?”

Then later in the song it says;

I am chosen
Not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me
Not against me
I am who You say I am

God is for you, not against you! He loves you for who you are! You are a child of God. You are chosen, not forsaken. This is who you are because that is who He says you are. You know something is valuable by what someone is willing to pay for it. God loves and values you so much, He sent Jesus to die for you!

You matter! You matter so much to God!

Author | Kyle Pickett