The All-Knowing Creator - something to think about

Psalm 139:3 - Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

If you have read my first two blogs, then you know that keeping on God's path and in His ways has been discussed. The theme verse for this blog post is Psalm 139:3. It mentions my path and my ways. Is this the same as being on God's path and following His ways? This entire Psalm is dedicated to God knowing us. He is our Creator and there is nothing hid from Him. He knew us before we were born and as we were growing in our mother's womb. David acknowledges God as the One who is with him all the time. There is no where he could have gone to escape the omniscience and omnipresence of God. Consider these verses in the psalm. 1 - O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. (God examines us intimately, for our sakes, so we might see ourselves) 2- Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 - Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. (God sees everything we do and everywhere we go) 4. - For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. (God hears every word we speak) 5 - Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. (God's protection is ever with us) 7 - Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or wither shall I flee from thy presence? (God is everywhere we would go) 8 - If I ascend up into heaven, thou are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold thou are there. (God is in the highest heaven and the lowest hell) 9 - If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea. (God is in all places of the earth and sea) 10 - Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. (God's hand is always on us no matter where we are) The palmist wasn't trying to escape God but rather was overwhelmed with God's knowledge. We cannot comprehend how vast the knowledge and presence of God is, so sometimes we may have a hard time understanding or even believing that God really is with us all the time. It takes faith to know this, and in the knowing we have peace. For many, it may seem uncomfortable that someone would know us as intimately as God does. We know our weaknesses and there are things about us we would not share with others, but we don't have that privilege with God. He sees and hears all of it. He was with us as we were being formed and He is with us today. Unfortunately, we tend to focus on trying to hide from God, instead of focusing on the fact that He loves and cares for us even though He knows us so well. This was not David's reaction at all. He understood He could not hide from God and didn't want to either. Verse 14 is probably the most quoted of this psalm. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. David gives God praise for creating Him! Have you ever just thanked God for creating you? We are all fearfully and wonderfully made. We are all unique, distinct individuals fashioned by a loving, caring God. What reaction do you have in hearing this? One of praise or one of apprehension? David goes on to say, My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 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. (Verses 15-16) Notice David said "hid", he was not hid from God as he was growing and maturing in the womb. David also acknowledged that he was not perfect. Yet, we learn throughout David's life, God was always delivering him. Showing Himself faithful to His creation. God offers the same protection to anyone who receives His son, JESUS, as their Savior. Are you one that tends to hide? This simply means not to acknowledge your sins, and God's greatness. Or can you speak as David, and acknowledge that you were made imperfect, yet God loves you. Can you stand in awe of verses 17-18, and wonder how can this be? 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. These verses are amazing to me! God has that many thoughts toward me! Oh, if my thoughts were a smidge of that towards Him! GOD CREATED YOU, this is why He thinks of you! Have you ever created something? Some would say no to this, but we all create! Creating is not just artwork of some form. Each home shows a person's uniqueness in home decor, each yard represents a person's fondness for flowers or lack thereof. When you create, it says something about you. You also are attached to whatever that creation is because it came from you. You want it to be well taken care of, well represented. Who better to do this, then you the creator? It is the same with God. Because He is our Creator, He knows and understands us. He takes care of us. We were created to be representatives of Him. We were created in His image. We need to know and believe that He is our Creator. Consider the following verses: Psalm 100:3 - Know ye that the LORD he is God; it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Psalm 95:6 - O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. Isaiah 43:7 - Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Revelation 4:11 - Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. The book of Jeremiah tells us He is the Potter, and we are the clay. Who takes charge of a pottery wheel? Not the clay! The clay does not argue but lets the potter mold and shape it as He sees fit. Yes, it is true that we are not a clump of clay, but the analogy here tells us that we should allow God to lead and direct us, we should desire His will because He knows us best and always has our good in mind. When it comes to God knowing our path and our way, we are acknowledging Him as the all-knowing God that He is. The last two verses of this Psalm say, 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. This sounds as if the clay is wanting and willing for the Potter to work with it. Since there is nothing we can say or do that God does not know about; since He already knows our ways and our paths, we should desire that our ways align with His. When the Psalmist is saying in verse one, thou compassest my path and are acquainted with all my ways. He is bringing forth a desire that says, LORD, you know me, I can't hide from you, and I don't want to. So, he begins and ends this Psalm seeking to be on the LORD's path. He is willing to allow God to show him where He needs change. This is hard, but necessary. What about you? Will you be a willing vessel for God to change?

This picture was taken on a trail in Hawaii leading to Manoa Falls. Even though it was a few years back, I remember it well because of the spectacular and amazing scenery I enjoyed while hiking to the falls. In this picture I was approaching a part of the path that was covered over with trees and branches. From the looks of it, it seems you just enter a dark hole that has no known path. I was on a well marked trail though, so I knew the trail was still there. Plus, there were people walking in both directions, so I wasn't alone. I mention this because even though our desire should be to follow God's path, it is hard sometimes. At times, it can be like this picture. We look ahead and we don't see a clear path anymore, we don't see a clear answer. When we come to an area in our life where decisions seem hard, and God doesn't seem to be doing anything, when His leading seems to end, when you don't think He is there anymore, what is the answer? Keep on the path of His Word. It is the well-marked trail we need to keep going. Believe that He is always with you, believe He loves you and will direct you. If need be, ask for the belief you need to stay on His path. The reason I brought this up is because, when I was on this path, there were people coming and going, even though in this picture it doesn't seem like it. Sometimes it is the same in our relationship with the LORD, He is there, but sometimes we don't remember the reality of His presence. Take into account the following scriptures. Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. refuge - shelter strength - security Psalm 119:105 - Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. lamp - glistens light - illuminates Proverbs 3:6 - In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths. acknowledge - know, to recognize direct - to be straight, fit, seem good These verses have some wonderful promises in them. God is a place of safety, and He is near in time of trouble. His Word will guide and keep us where we need to go. As we admit we need Him, He will keep us straight. Remain on His path, there will be no regrets. Be armored to stay on His path, stay on His paths to be armored! God Bless, Until Next Time