Embracing God's Love: Intimacy, Purpose, and Surrender
Summary
Psalm 139 is a profound reminder of God's intimate knowledge of us and His unwavering love. As we delve into this psalm, we are confronted with the reality that God knows us completely—our past, present, and future. He understands our thoughts, our struggles, and even our unspoken words. Despite this complete knowledge, He loves us unconditionally. This is a comforting truth that should encourage us to live authentically before Him, without the masks we often wear to hide our true selves from others.
The psalm begins by emphasizing God's omniscience. He has searched us and knows us deeply, more than anyone else ever could. This knowledge is not superficial; it is a deep, penetrating understanding of who we are. God knows our actions, our thoughts, and our words before they are even formed. This can be both comforting and intimidating, but ultimately, it is a testament to His love and care for us.
Moreover, Psalm 139 assures us of God's omnipresence. There is nowhere we can go to escape His presence. Whether we are in the heights of joy or the depths of despair, God is there with us. This truth should bring us peace, knowing that we are never alone, even when we feel isolated or abandoned.
The psalm also speaks to God's creative power. He formed us in our mother's womb, intricately weaving us together. This knowledge should instill in us a sense of worth and purpose, knowing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving Creator.
Finally, the psalm concludes with a call to openness and surrender. We are invited to ask God to search our hearts and reveal any offensive ways within us. This is a bold prayer of vulnerability, but it is also a step toward deeper intimacy with God. By allowing Him to lead us in the way everlasting, we align ourselves with His will and experience the fullness of His love.
Key Takeaways:
- God's Intimate Knowledge: God knows us deeply and completely, understanding our thoughts and actions before they occur. This profound knowledge is a testament to His love and care, encouraging us to live authentically before Him. [24:05]
- Omnipresence of God: We cannot escape God's presence, whether in joy or despair. His constant companionship assures us that we are never alone, providing peace and comfort in all circumstances. [29:45]
- Creative Power and Purpose: God intricately formed us, instilling in us a sense of worth and purpose. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, and this truth should inspire us to live with confidence and gratitude. [43:30]
- Openness and Surrender: Inviting God to search our hearts and reveal any offensive ways is a bold step toward deeper intimacy with Him. This vulnerability aligns us with His will and allows us to experience the fullness of His love. [46:18]
- God's Unconditional Love: Despite knowing our flaws and failures, God loves us unconditionally. This love should motivate us to stop hiding and running, and instead, come to Him with open hearts, trusting in His grace and mercy. [45:22]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [21:49] - Introduction and Personal Stories
- [24:05] - God's Intimate Knowledge
- [25:24] - Digging Deep: Understanding God's Search
- [26:39] - Masks We Wear
- [29:45] - God's Omnipresence
- [30:57] - Hide and Seek with God
- [31:47] - Reasons We Hide
- [32:25] - Guilt and Hiding
- [33:51] - God Seeks Us
- [34:40] - Running from God's Will
- [35:27] - Personal Testimony of Running
- [38:45] - Realization and Surrender
- [40:49] - Anger and God's Understanding
- [42:36] - God's Unconditional Love
- [43:30] - Created with Purpose
- [45:22] - Trusting God with Our Lives
- [46:18] - Prayer for Openness and Surrender
- [48:37] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 139
#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 139:1-6: "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me..."
- Psalm 139:7-12: "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?"
- Psalm 139:13-16: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 139:1-6 reveal about the depth of God's knowledge of us? How does this knowledge compare to human understanding? [24:05]
2. In Psalm 139:7-12, what imagery does David use to describe God's omnipresence? How does this imagery help us understand the concept of God's constant presence? [29:45]
3. According to Psalm 139:13-16, how does David describe God's role in our creation? What does this suggest about our value and purpose? [43:30]
4. How does the pastor illustrate the concept of wearing masks in our lives, and what does this reveal about our relationship with God? [26:39]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might understanding God's intimate knowledge of us, as described in Psalm 139:1-6, impact the way we live our daily lives? [24:05]
2. What are the implications of God's omnipresence for someone who feels isolated or abandoned? How can this understanding bring comfort? [29:45]
3. How does recognizing God's creative power in forming us, as mentioned in Psalm 139:13-16, influence our sense of self-worth and purpose? [43:30]
4. What does the pastor mean by inviting God to "search our hearts" and how can this practice lead to deeper intimacy with God? [46:18]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt misunderstood by others. How does knowing that God understands you completely change your perspective on that situation? [24:05]
2. When have you tried to hide from God or others, and what were the reasons behind it? How can you begin to remove the "masks" you wear in your spiritual life? [26:39]
3. In moments of loneliness or despair, how can you remind yourself of God's omnipresence? What practical steps can you take to feel His presence more tangibly? [29:45]
4. Consider the unique ways God has created you. How can you use your gifts and talents to serve others and fulfill your purpose? [43:30]
5. What are some "offensive ways" in your life that you need to surrender to God? How can you invite Him to lead you in the way everlasting? [46:18]
6. How does the pastor's story about running from God's will resonate with your own experiences? What steps can you take to align more closely with God's plans for you? [35:27]
7. Think of a situation where you felt angry with God. How can you honestly express your feelings to Him and seek healing and understanding? [41:58]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Intimate Knowledge of Us
God's intimate knowledge of us is both profound and comforting. He knows our thoughts, actions, and words even before they are formed. This deep understanding is not superficial but penetrates to the core of who we are. It is a testament to His love and care, encouraging us to live authentically before Him. We often wear masks to hide our true selves from others, but with God, there is no need for pretense. His complete knowledge of us should inspire us to embrace our true selves and live openly in His presence. [24:05]
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel misunderstood by others? How can you find comfort in knowing that God understands you completely?
Day 2: The Omnipresence of God
The omnipresence of God assures us that we are never alone. Whether we are experiencing the heights of joy or the depths of despair, God is with us. This constant companionship provides peace and comfort in all circumstances. We may feel isolated or abandoned at times, but the truth is that God's presence is always with us. This knowledge should encourage us to seek Him in every situation, knowing that He is our ever-present help. [29:45]
"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!" (Psalm 139:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: In what situation do you currently feel alone or abandoned? How can you remind yourself of God's presence in that situation today?
Day 3: Created with Purpose and Worth
God's creative power is evident in the way He formed us in our mother's womb. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, intricately woven together by a loving Creator. This knowledge should instill in us a sense of worth and purpose. We are not accidents or mistakes; we are intentionally created with a unique purpose. This truth should inspire us to live with confidence and gratitude, knowing that our lives have meaning and significance. [43:30]
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: What is one unique gift or talent that God has given you? How can you use it to serve others and fulfill your purpose today?
Day 4: Openness and Surrender to God
Inviting God to search our hearts and reveal any offensive ways is a bold step toward deeper intimacy with Him. This vulnerability aligns us with His will and allows us to experience the fullness of His love. By surrendering our hearts to God, we open ourselves to His transformative power. It is a courageous act of faith that leads to spiritual growth and renewal. This openness and surrender are essential for a thriving relationship with God. [46:18]
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are hesitant to let God in? What would it look like to invite Him into that area today?
Day 5: Embracing God's Unconditional Love
Despite knowing our flaws and failures, God loves us unconditionally. This love should motivate us to stop hiding and running, and instead, come to Him with open hearts. Trusting in His grace and mercy, we can find freedom and healing in His presence. God's unconditional love is a powerful force that transforms our lives and empowers us to love others. It is a love that never fails and never gives up on us. [45:22]
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to accept God's love? How can you begin to embrace His unconditional love for you today?
Quotes
God knows us, and he loves us. So let's walk through this psalm and see what we can learn about this God who knows us and loves us. The first thing I want to point out is God knows everything about us. [00:24:49] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Well, God doesn't simply know us on the surface. He digs down deep. He knows us inside and out. Have you ever met someone, and when you first get to know them, you think, man, they're pretty nice. I'd like to get to know them better. And then you get to know them better, and you find out they're really not that nice. [00:26:12] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
What David reminds us is that we cannot hide from God. We can't run away and escape him, because wherever we go, God is there. And I think sometimes we fool ourselves into thinking, well, God can't see me. God doesn't know what's going on in my life. God doesn't see this, but he does. [00:31:13] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Psalm 139 reminds us that we can't hide from God because he knows where we are. He knows what we've done. You look at Adam and Eve, don't you think that God knew exactly what they had done? Of course he did. Don't you think that he knew exactly where they were hiding? Of course he did. [00:33:29] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
And I want to hit the pause button here for a minute because God is still looking today. Maybe he's looking for some of us that think we can run away or we can hide. Maybe we think, I've let God down, and he doesn't even want me anymore. He doesn't love me anymore. [00:34:42] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
And here's what I can tell you. If you're running away from God because you want to do what you want to do instead of what God wants you to do, life will be so much better when you start running toward God and with God. [00:40:08] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
God knows us. He knows everything about us. And we don't have to hide from him. So whatever you're doing today, if you're trying to hide or run or angry, just bring it out and lay it before God. Here's the last thing. God knows us because he made us. [00:42:56] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
My friends, God knew us before we were born. And he shaped us, he formed us, he loved us. And there are so many things I don't understand about life, but God does. God knows. And I'm thankful that I don't know what tomorrow holds. [00:44:22] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
We need to understand that there is nothing too big for God to handle. But we also need to be reminded of this. There is nothing too small that He doesn't care about. Because God loves you. God loves me. He made us. He knows us. And He loves us. [00:45:30] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
What do we do with this God who is always with us, this God who made us, this God who loves us? The simple answer is we love Him back. That's what we do. God loves us. We need to love Him back. And we need to stop hiding. We need to stop running. [00:45:53] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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