Psalm 139:16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
We have just celebrated Easter. Perhaps you have noticed that these Devos do not follow the church year. That is I do not always design them around the church calendar. I prefer to just follow my heart and my searching of God's Word to decide what to reflect on each week. One thing I do know is that Jesus saw me when He hung on that cross as He did you. The moments of our lives intersected with that moment in His life as He paid for your sin and mine. I will comment on that another day. For now I am on a different topic.
How great is your faith? Do you have any growing to do in that area? I know that I do. I rather doubt that there is anyone who ever lived, with the exception of Jesus, who went to his, or her, death having exercised all the faith that they could. Our verses today bring this to light. They are extremely precious to me and I hope they are to you as well.
According to my research, the words “before I was born” actually could be translated: “my rolled up substance.” In other words it is a word picture of what you looked like in your mother's womb. So the words here, 'before I was born' are accurate. And notice the words that follow: ' Every day of my life was recorded in your book.' The psalmist goes further when he says; 'Every moment was laid out.' This is not the same as saying that He simply knew the days of our lives. He is saying that they were 'laid out,' they were planned. Wow! God designed my life. Now I have talked to some of you and I understand that this doctrine is difficult for you to grasp. I have been told that some do not like it. That you would prefer to believe that God did not design this life you lead but simply works with it and can bring about His end no matter what you decide. The problem is that this psalmist is telling us that God is in control of even the smallest details of your life and the only thing that stops you and me from believing it is the strength of our faith.
If your faith is strong enough to allow God's sovereignty to extend to the smallest detail of your life, something wonderful happens. In the middle of any circumstance you can find the rest and peace of God. This is not the most comfortable time of my life. Most of my professional life has been more stable. When I semi retired and moved to Oregon, I traded in somewhat predictable days for ones of tremendous uncertainty. I have had more jobs since I have been in Oregon than I have had in the rest of my life. Companies moving to Manila or losing their contract or just being temporary. I am working for the US Census now and it will only last two months and I will be looking for a job again. I can tell you that I do not operate very well like this. Not knowing whether there will be a job for me, or not, is very stressful. On top of that, our grandchildren have been moved to the coast, about 2 hours away so it is not as easy to get to them as it was when we first moved here and therefore the purpose of coming here, to be able to see them, is much more difficult.
So what am I to do. Should I get cynical and blame God for the countries economic predicament? Well He is at the root of the cause if I understand the psalmist's point. But that is the very concept that becomes the emotional solution for me. If God is in control of all of this, and I believe He is, then while I am doing all that I can to find work and provide for my family, I can also find peace because I know that whatever happens, will be within God's will for me and I will rest in that knowledge. Things may not be what I want them to be but they will be what He wants and that is much more important. Since I am in the middle of this circumstance it will be an opportunity for all of us to see what God does. I will try to be as honest as I can and I am praying that something will come along that will provide a more secure feeling about the future. However, this I do know! God is in control. For better, or worse, He is still fulfilling the design of my life that was laid out before I was born. Whether I am raised up or put down is for Him to decide. I have already had a career that I would not trade for anything. Many of you who read these devos have made my life as rich as it could possibly have been and for that I thank God. Now I am walking with Him on a much more insecure road and it is necessary for my faith to be stronger than ever. I trust that it is.
May God bless you as you walk with Him. Read the verse for today and the others in this Psalm and let God bless you with those words.
Theo
Dear Small Group Leader (or soon to be Facilitator)
Please allow everyone in your group to answer the Quick Question. It will get things started on the right foot, encouraging quieter ones to open up. Please do not require everyone to answer every question. They may not be ready to share yet. Also please allow at least 5-10 minutes at the end of your study so as many as would like to can respond to the REFLECTION question. This may be the most important time in your small group study. Thank You
SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY
Please Read:
QUICK QUESTION: What is the best thing about your life for which you want to thank God?
How did God describe David?
How did David feel about God?
What does these verses tell you about God?
What do these verses teach you about God? About yourself?
What part of your life do you want God to exert control?
REFLECTION: What kind of things could you do to give thanks to God for His many blessings?
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