Psalm 139 in My Own Words

Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything there is to know about me. My thoughts are not hidden from You. You see my every movement and are familiar with all my habits. Even before I open my mouth to speak You know what I am going to say.

You go ahead of me, and You follow me. You are constantly with me and long to bless me. I can’t even begin to understand the love You have for me. Where could I hide from You? Where could I go to avoid the searching eyes of Your Spirit? If I travelled to the furthermost reaches of space, You would be there. If I sank to the depths of the ocean, You would be there. If I rose like the sun in the morning and travel beyond the horizon, I would know Your hand was upon me. My confidence in Your presence would keep me safe. If I hid in the darkness, You would see me, because darkness cannot be dark to You. It would be like daylight in Your sight.

I know You created the innermost parts of my being, as I was formed in my mother’s womb. You put me together meticulously and lovingly. I am a wonder of Your creation. You saw me before I was born and knew what I was destined to be, and every day of my life was written in Your book before even one of them dawned.

I try to imagine what You are like, but my thoughts cannot understand Your ways and purposes. To me these thoughts are precious for I know You control all things. Your mind is as incomprehensible as the millions of stars in the heavens, outnumbering even all the grains of sand on the seashore. Then I realise that I am with You as You are with me, and I can know a constant, intimate, and loving relationship with You.

There is so much evil creeping into this beautiful world You have created. How I wish Your presence would be known to all, especially those who despise You and fight against Your purposes. I continually wonder at Your love for those who hate You.

Lord, I ask You to shine Your light deep down into the depths of my heart. See if there are any thoughts or ways in my life that are displeasing to You. Let the presence of Your holiness cause them to disappear like snow on a summer’s morning and lead me on to everlasting life.

Prayer: My Lord and my God, who is there but You in the heavens? Who is there but You when I have no one to run to? Who is there but You when I am lost and cannot see my way forward? Forgive me, Lord, that I have doubted Your love for me and looked away when You come close. Take me, Lord, as I am, and transform me into Your likeness, day by day, in Jesus’ name. Amen.