Today’s readings: Ps 55, Josh 23:1-16; Rom 15:25-33; Matt 27:11-23
To date we haven’t focused on any evening readings for our devotionals, but Psalm 139 is one of the most beloved and beautiful, so today we make an exception. The theme of this psalm – that God knows us intimately and in all ways – is both comforting and humbling. What might it mean to us to take this idea seriously?
Too often the concept of an all-knowing God has been used to control or shame people. The psalmist, though, finds great comfort in the idea that God has been and always will be with him, from conception through death. The implication of this presence is that God cares for each of us. As God’s carefully wrought creations, “fearfully and wonderfully made,” (v. 14) we are each of us the most precious works of art in the world. Artists frequently compare their own creations to children; how could we be less to God? Good parents are not judgmental or threatening, not waiting to strike down children who make mistakes. Good parents guide and challenge their children to be their best selves. Jesus assures us God is like a good parent, when he says things like no father, when his child asks for a fish, would hand him a snake (Matt 7:10, Luke 11:11).
If we stay aware of God’s presence in our lives, even when we don’t necessarily “feel” it, we are better able to rise to the challenge of being our best selves. While we don’t want to reduce God to the role of supportive buddy or life coach, we can consider God’s presence as we devise plans, make decisions and take actions. Before we act, reflecting on how God might view our actions can help us transcend our fleeting thoughts and feelings. Such reflection might trigger our conscience, or even guilt, but these can be signposts pointing us to the proper – if difficult – path. Exercising self control is not the same as being shamed by someone else. God’s presence is not a fist knocking us down, but a hand lifting us up.
Psalm 139 provides beautiful images of the relationship God intends to have with us: guide, artist, parent, creator. Jesus used similar metaphors to describe our relationship to God so we might understand the powerful and simultaneously loving nature of God. God’s thoughts are beyond the psalmist’s and our comprehension, yet God still offers an intimate relationship whether we are living in the light or the darkness.
Comfort: God has always and will always know us like no one else.
Challenge: Read Psalm 139:1-18 aloud before going to bed tonight.
Prayer: God of all Creation, thank you for your constant presence.
Evening reading: Ps 138, 139
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