Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 139:1-6
Ps 139:1-6
O Lord, you have searched me 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 know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in — behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Heb 4:12-13
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
On several occasions, Jesus was being confronted by the Jewish leaders and it says that he knew their thoughts. After being married over fifty years, my wife and I often think we know what the other is thinking, and sometimes we are right. But we really cannot read the other’s mind. Jesus knew. He knew for sure.
God knows what we are thinking today. He knows what we would like to say before we say it or even if we never utter the words out loud. This is both good and bad because when we restrain ourselves and not say something that needs to not be said, he sees this. When we are being deceptive with our words, God knows that too. He sees the frustration in our minds. He sees the love also.
This is just another way of saying that God knows our motives. Since we all fail to express or do what we know is best, he knows when we are trying. Even Paul said that at times he knew and hated what was wrong, but he did it anyway. And then at times, he knew the right thing to do but failed to do it. We all make mistakes.
John says that as we walk in the light, our sins continue to be forgiven. We are trying to do what is right. We are trying to overcome every temptation. We want to accomplish every good thing we know that we should do. However, we fail, and even at our best, we sin. But the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse us.
O Lord God, I know that your thoughts are far above my thoughts. I know that you can know what I think, even before I think it. You know my heart, so you know my motives. Help me fill my heart and my mind with good things, things that are pure and wholesome, kind and compassionate. Help me get rid of all evil thoughts and negative thoughts. Use me to accomplish what you want me to do, but I need your wisdom and your strength to do it. Be with your people that we can maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
