May 3, 2021 -- Psalm 139:4-6 -- Guarded in God's grace

Even before a word is on my tongue,

behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high; I cannot attain it.

Psalm 139:4-6 English Standard Version

Based on this reading, you can say that God our Father knows the words we are going to speak before we speak them. He knows us inside and out. He knows our failures and our self-deceptions. Yet, He hems us in. By His Spirit living in us, He keeps us restraining us from further sinfulness and keeping us from destroying ourselves. He put His hand on us in Jesus Christ so that our sins have been fully punished on the Person of Jesus and we are credited with the obedient life of Jesus, our Savior and King.

When shame would seek to drive me away from God and away from confession and healing, I should listen to the Spirit of God Who is telling me: “go to the throne of God. Go to God and find healing and help.” No wonder the Psalmist ends these few verses with marvel and awe—this is such lofty knowledge. This is such great blessing—I cannot save myself. I cannot help myself. It is only the LORD our God Who has rescued us in Jesus and keeps us in His great love through the power of the Holy Spirit. Blessed are You, God of gods, LORD of lords!

How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. Wonderful are Your works, my soul knows it very well. Amen

(The prayer is Psalm 139:17-18; 14b)

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