Embracing God's Unconditional Love and Presence
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to reflect on the profound truths found in Psalm 139, a beautiful song that speaks to the depths of God's love and presence in our lives. We began by acknowledging God's omnipresence and His unwavering love for us, a love that existed even before we were born. This foundational love is the bedrock of our faith and our worship. We then transitioned to a special moment with the children, where we explored the Psalms, emphasizing that they are not just ancient texts but songs that have been sung for generations, including by Jesus Himself.
We delved into Psalm 139, focusing on three key truths: God made us, God knows us, and God is near to us. We illustrated these truths through personal stories and analogies, such as the tale of the "Runaway Bunny," which mirrors the relentless love and pursuit of God for His children. We also shared a personal story about the anxiety of a mother separated from her child, highlighting the limitations of human love compared to God's boundless care and presence.
Psalm 139 reminds us that God created us with intentionality and care, knitting us together in our mother's womb. This divine craftsmanship is evident in every aspect of our being, making us fearfully and wonderfully made. Furthermore, God knows us intimately, understanding our thoughts, words, and actions even before they occur. This knowledge is not just factual but deeply personal, as God has engraved our names on His hands, signifying an eternal bond.
Finally, we explored the comforting truth that God is always near. No matter where we go or what circumstances we find ourselves in, God's presence is inescapable. This assurance is a source of immense comfort, especially in times of fear and uncertainty. We concluded by inviting everyone to embrace these truths, to stop running from God, and to rest in His unconditional love.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Foundational Love: Before we were born, God loved us. This love is the foundation of our faith and worship. It is a love that pursues us relentlessly, as illustrated by the story of the "Runaway Bunny," where the mother bunny's pursuit of her child mirrors God's pursuit of us. This love is unwavering and ever-present, providing a solid foundation for our lives. [15:22]
2. Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: God created us with intentionality and care, knitting us together in our mother's womb. This divine craftsmanship means that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Every aspect of our being, from our physical features to our innermost thoughts, is a testament to God's intricate design and love for us. [34:01]
3. Intimate Knowledge: God knows us intimately, understanding our thoughts, words, and actions even before they occur. This knowledge is deeply personal and signifies an eternal bond. Despite knowing our flaws and failures, God loves us unconditionally, which is a profound and comforting truth. [38:39]
4. Inescapable Presence: No matter where we go or what circumstances we find ourselves in, God's presence is inescapable. This assurance is a source of immense comfort, especially in times of fear and uncertainty. God's presence brings light to darkness and peace to turmoil, reminding us that we are never alone. [43:11]
5. Invitation to Rest in God's Love: We are invited to stop running from God and to rest in His unconditional love. Just as the mother bunny in the story never gave up on her child, God never gives up on us. Embracing this love means acknowledging that we are known, made, and accompanied by God, which brings peace and joy to our lives. [48:57]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[15:22] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[16:53] - Prayers for the Community
[17:58] - Children's Story Time
[19:29] - Introduction to Psalms
[20:21] - Jesus' Songbook
[21:26] - Psalm 139 Video
[24:43] - Reading "The Runaway Bunny"
[29:52] - Discussion on Psalm 139
[30:38] - Personal Story: A Mother's Anxiety
[34:01] - God Made Us
[38:39] - God Knows Us
[43:11] - God is Near to Us
[48:57] - Embracing God's Love
[49:38] - Closing Prayer
[51:27] - Closing Song and Blessing
[57:48] - Dismissal and Farewell
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 139:1-18 (NIV)
- For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16)
2. Isaiah 49:15-16 (NIV)
- Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.
3. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
- For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 139, how does God demonstrate His intimate knowledge of us? (Psalm 139:1-4)
2. What analogy does the sermon use to illustrate God's relentless pursuit of us? ([24:43])
3. How does the story of the "Runaway Bunny" relate to the message of Psalm 139? ([28:57])
4. What personal story did the pastor share to highlight the limitations of human love compared to God's love? ([30:38])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be "fearfully and wonderfully made" according to Psalm 139? How does this impact our understanding of self-worth? ([34:01])
2. How does the knowledge that God has "engraved our names on His hands" (Isaiah 49:16) affect our perception of God's love and commitment to us? ([41:42])
3. In what ways does the assurance of God's inescapable presence (Psalm 139:7-12) provide comfort during times of fear and uncertainty? ([43:11])
4. How does the pastor's story about her daughter's trip to Amsterdam illustrate the difference between human and divine protection? ([32:17])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How can the truth of God's omnipresence in Psalm 139 help you in similar situations in the future? ([43:11])
2. The sermon invites us to stop running from God and rest in His love. What are some ways you can actively embrace and rest in God's love this week? ([48:57])
3. How can you remind yourself daily that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made"? Are there specific actions or practices that can help reinforce this truth? ([34:01])
4. Think of a situation where you felt anxious or fearful. How can the knowledge that God knows your thoughts and is always near change your response to such situations? ([38:39])
5. The pastor shared a story about her daughter's independence and her own anxiety. How can you trust God more with the people you care about, knowing that His love and protection are greater than yours? ([32:17])
6. How can you use the truth that God has "engraved your name on His hands" to encourage someone who feels forgotten or unloved? ([41:42])
7. Identify one area of your life where you have been "running" from God. What steps can you take to stop running and allow God to guide you? ([48:57])
Devotional
Day 1: God's Relentless Pursuit of Us
God's love for us is foundational and relentless, existing even before we were born. This love is the bedrock of our faith and worship, providing a solid foundation for our lives. The story of the "Runaway Bunny" beautifully illustrates this truth, where the mother bunny's pursuit of her child mirrors God's unwavering pursuit of us. No matter how far we stray, God's love remains steadfast and ever-present, always calling us back to Him. This relentless love is a source of immense comfort and assurance, reminding us that we are never beyond the reach of God's grace and mercy. [15:22]
Isaiah 49:15-16 (ESV): "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt far from God. How did you experience His pursuit and love during that season? How can you rest in the assurance of His relentless love today?
Day 2: Crafted with Divine Intentionality
God created us with intentionality and care, knitting us together in our mother's womb. This divine craftsmanship means that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, with every aspect of our being reflecting God's intricate design and love for us. Our physical features, our personalities, and even our innermost thoughts are all a testament to God's intentional creation. Recognizing this truth helps us to see ourselves and others through the lens of God's love and purpose, fostering a sense of awe and gratitude for the unique way we have been made. [34:01]
Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Reflect on a specific aspect of yourself that you often take for granted or view negatively. How can you begin to see this aspect as part of God's intentional and loving design for you?
Day 3: Known Intimately by God
God knows us intimately, understanding our thoughts, words, and actions even before they occur. This knowledge is deeply personal and signifies an eternal bond between us and our Creator. Despite knowing our flaws and failures, God loves us unconditionally, which is a profound and comforting truth. This intimate knowledge means that we are never alone in our struggles or joys, as God is always aware and present with us. Embracing this truth can transform our relationship with God, fostering a deeper sense of trust and reliance on His perfect knowledge and love. [38:39]
Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV): "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Reflection: Consider a recent situation where you felt misunderstood or unseen. How does knowing that God understands you completely change your perspective on that situation?
Day 4: The Comfort of God's Inescapable Presence
No matter where we go or what circumstances we find ourselves in, God's presence is inescapable. This assurance is a source of immense comfort, especially in times of fear and uncertainty. God's presence brings light to darkness and peace to turmoil, reminding us that we are never alone. Whether we are experiencing joy or sorrow, success or failure, God's presence is a constant and comforting reality. This truth encourages us to seek God's presence in every moment, trusting that He is always with us, guiding and sustaining us through all of life's challenges. [43:11]
Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV): "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! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."
Reflection: Think about a current challenge or fear you are facing. How can you intentionally seek and acknowledge God's presence in the midst of this situation?
Day 5: Embracing God's Unconditional Love
We are invited to stop running from God and to rest in His unconditional love. Just as the mother bunny in the story never gave up on her child, God never gives up on us. Embracing this love means acknowledging that we are known, made, and accompanied by God, which brings peace and joy to our lives. This invitation to rest in God's love is a call to surrender our fears, anxieties, and striving, and to trust in the sufficiency of His grace and care. By resting in God's love, we find true peace and fulfillment, knowing that we are deeply loved and valued by our Creator. [48:57]
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you are striving for acceptance or love. How can you surrender this area to God and rest in His unconditional love for you today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God created your inmost being. He knit you together in your mother's womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. It is so easy to see that when we gaze into little Ellis' face. Up on the screen. Or when we play peekaboo with Kalila in the back row. And we completely forget that there's a service going on. Because she is so captivating." [34:56] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God knows you. Ponder that for just a minute. There are 7 billion people alive right now on this earth. Give or take a few, probably 100,000. I don't even know what the margin of error is for that. If you lined all 7 billion people up in a single file line and you measured it out so that they were 12 inches between each person, and you had them all line up, that line would go around the entire earth 18 times." [39:30] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "There is nowhere you can go that is away from God's presence. There is nowhere. You cannot run away from Him. If you've been trying to do that for some time now, I need to tell you, you have not been successful. Just like that mother bunny who climbed to the top of the highest mountain or forded that iciest stream, He has braved all that you have. You have thrown at Him. And He is near to you." [48:57] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God made you. God knows you. And finally, God is near to you. God is near to me. Where can I go from your spirit? Asks David. Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there. If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me." [42:31] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God knows your name. God knows every word before you speak it. He knows every thought before you think it. He knows every secret you've been hiding inside that nobody else knows. God knows you. And amazingly, he still loves you unconditionally. This is knowledge that is too wonderful, too lofty for us mere mortals to understand. God knows you." [41:42] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I am not God. I am a human mother who loves my children fiercely. But I am time and space limited. My influence has very small boundaries. I am weak and limited and fallible. And I think that makes this beautiful Psalm 139 even more profound and powerful. Because it tells us so much about who God truly is. And the depths of his love that he has for us. An unimaginable love." [33:00] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you are feeling a little road weary, tired, disappointed, a little broken maybe. These words are still true. True for you today. As true as they were for you when you first emerged from your mother's womb. Fresh and cute and fragile. God created your inmost being. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are God's masterpiece. Created by him to do the good things that he planned for you to do far in advance. God made you." [37:29] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When Jesus died on the cross, he stretched out his arms, and he let those soldiers drive nails into his hands on the cross. And when he did that, your name was engraved there. Isaiah says. He's going to have those scars for eternity to remind us how much he loves us. As a way to say, Do you think I could forget you? Not a chance. This is how much you matter to me." [41:42] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Our second simple but very profound truth from the song we call Psalm 139 is that God knows you. God knows you. God knows me. Here's what David says. You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise. You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down. You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you, Lord, know it completely." [38:39] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "There is nowhere that you can go where God is not near to you. When I was living in China in my early 20s, long before there was anything like a Find My Phone app that kept me under my mother's gentle and loving, not at all creepy surveillance, I went traveling with some of my friends during our winter break, and we went to the ancient capital of Hangzhou in China." [44:00] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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