Ever been traveling on a road and see a sign that let you know you were going the wrong direction? I remember a recent trip our family took to San Antonio. We had been driving - radio up, talking, answering the occasional call, having a good time - when I see a sign for San Angelo. Somewhere I had missed a turn and had gone way out of the way.
Ever see a sign on the road of life that made you think you were going the wrong direction? Life is filled with unexpected turns. Things aren't going according to our plan and we feel like a nobody going nowhere. Maybe it’s job related. Perhaps you have been at it a long time and don’t feel appreciated. Maybe you feel like a nobody because you think you don’t become a somebody until you get married or have a child. You reach a certain point in your life and you wake up and realize, “What is the point? Why am I doing all these things? Why did God put these dreams in my heart if they weren’t going to come true?” Ever feel that way?
David here in Psalm 139 feels that way. He feels like he’s living life on a treadmill - there’s a lot of activity, but he’s not going anywhere; he’s working hard, but it doesn’t amount to much. Psalm 139 gives us 5 truths to help us see ourselves as God sees us.
I. GOD KNOWS YOU (vs.1-6)
A. God knows us intimately
1. He knows your heart, fears, thoughts, dreams
2. He knows your past, present, and future - and He’s involved in it!
B. God understands you more than you understand yourself
C. Be reassured: God’s knowledge is mixed with love
“Laid your hand upon me” - OT phrase that means a special act of blessing. Before an old man died, he would lay his hands on the heads of his children and grandchildren to speak words of blessing over them. God has laid his hand on you for blessing and protection
II. GOD IS PURSUING YOU (vs.7-10)
A. If God knows everything, what would most of us want to do? - Run away! We would feel unmasked or naked. We can fool people into thinking better of us by projecting things that aren’t true, but no one can fool God!
B. God won’t let us run away
1. His desire in pursuing us is not to bring about condemnatio but to bring about forgiveness, friendship, and love!
2. “Your hand shall lead me” - direction
3. “Your right hand shall hold me” - security
C. God desires you!
III. GOD SAYS YOU’RE AWESOME (vs.13-16a)
A. God made us
B. God doesn’t make junk! God says we are his masterpiece!
C. My worth comes not from my performance but from my position
IV. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU (vs.16b-18)
A. There are no wrong turns or dead ends in God’s plan
B. The term for “ordained” here isn’t just about number. The idea is that all of our days form together to tell a story.
C. Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope (ESV)
APPLICATION: EXPERIENCING GOD AS YOUR LOVING CREATOR
*DO YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE IN THE MIRROR?
Do you get up in the morning, look in the mirror and say, “Wow! God you made a fantastic person!” Or do you put yourself down as you flip through magazines? Do you find yourself comparing yourself to people in commercials or movies? Dissatisfaction seems to be part of human nature. We spend lots of time focusing on what we do not have instead of thanking God for what we do have.
We must learn to see ourselves as God sees us! Though critical for all of us, it is especially important for women who are bombarded daily with the message that their value is based on their outward appearance. You can view yourself as God sees you. Memorize Psalm 139; Ephesians 1. Work through the difficult views of yourself that bring about negative feelings. Believe that what God says is true and what the world says is a lie. You can be transformed.
Understand that life is on track. Most of us evaluate ourself in light of the daily grind and think we don’t matter much. That is not true! Times of opposition and obscurity come to us all. But you know what the Bible says about time? - “It came to pass!” Don’t let one chapter make you believe that God has finished the whole book of your life! Your story of His Glory is not over!
Understand that your worth is about your position, not your performance. There is no failure in the will of God!
Prayer: Lord, help me not to buy the lies the world hands me. Give me the courage to align my life with you, whatever that means, and to choose to believe what you declare about me rather than what I can see in this dark world. Please show me my purpose in your plan. Help me to cooperate with your plan so that it is fulfilled.
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1 comments:
Glad to see you writing again.
As a brother in the ministry, I take what you have written and reflect on what my actions should be when I just don't know what to do next. Ever been there? Some days you just feel like staying in because there are no firm plans and the hopes that you had never came to fruition so its like, "Okay, now what?"
I was recently reminded about three men on a mountain. The first was Caleb who the Bible characterizes as a faithful, bold and confident leader. He quieted the people before Moses and followed God fully. Then Elijah, who trusted God to overcome the 850 prophets of Baal and then ran to hide in a cave after he discovered he was wanted dead. And then Jesus our Lord who went to Golgotha to give His life as a ransom for sinners.
Caleb was focused on doing the will of God and proved himself faithful. Elijah began with trusting God and then his heart forgot what had been accomplished. Perhaps he began to boast in himself through the victory God had given. Jesus only did what the Father had told Him to do.
God promised Caleb entrance into the promised land because "he has a different spirit and has followed me fully" (Num 14:24, ESV). Jesus was sinless and continually walked with God. When I am feeling down and am trying to discern "What next?" I need to remember to walk with God. I need to get out of the house and go where the people are that God has called me to and I will find Him there. Elijah didn't find God in the cave where he fled for safety, but God found him. God asked, "What are you doing here?"
Evaluate where you are in relation to God. If you're hiding from your sin or doing ministry or seeking to reconcile relationships, "What are you doing there?" Move towards God and do what He has called you to do.
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