If there’s anything that you come away from Psalm 139 with . . . it’s a sense of being very exposed. A reminder that there is no “living in secret” before God. “You have searched me and known me,” says the Psalmist, “You know when I sit down . . . You discern my thoughts . . . You search out my path . . . You are acquainted with all my ways . . . You know every word that is on my tongue . . . You hem me in . . . You lay Your hand upon me.” And David’s response to such revelation? Overwhelmed! The knowledge is too wonderful, he says . . . extraordinary . . . incomprehensible . . . too high . . . too much to grasp. (Ps. 139:1-6)

And the implications are staggering. Where shall I go from Your Spirit? . . . where shall I flee? . . . where are You not? Answer: Nowhere! No running . . . no hiding . . . no “private moment” absent from the ever-present, all-knowing God. (vv. 7-12)

How long have I been on His radar? A long time. He formed me and knit me together in my mother’s womb . . . even there my frame was not hidden from Him. Even when I was yet unformed He was writing the book of my life . . . pre-recording the days that were formed for me . . . long, long before they came up on the calendar God’s script was in place. (vv. 13-16)

So . . . what to do with such an overwhelming realization? How do you respond? Check out David’s response . . .

“How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with You.” (Psalm 139:17 ESV)

Precious . . . esteemed . . . highly valued . . . prized! Fully known and fully appreciating it. Nothing hidden and so nothing held back. To be entirely known by God and still loved so completely loved by God. Precious! Heart stirring . . . awe invoking . . . worship starting.

God knows it all . . . and still when I awake, I am with You.

Far from running from such divine knowledge, mine is to embrace it. To be reminded that, knowing all He knows about me, He so loved me He sent His Son to redeem me. To internalize again the depths of grace that compelled the Shepherd to go in rescue of lost sheep. To try and grasp afresh the wonder of being His workmanship . . . created and then re-created in Christ . . . and given the privilege of serving Him while He works His sanctifying work in me.

To not be discouraged at failure . . . not disheartened when I trip up. But to embrace that I am known . . . and that, in that complete knowledge, there is forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ which cleanses from all sin . . . that, in that complete knowledge, there is an eternal commitment to finish the work He has begun in me . . . that, in that complete knowledge, He is refining me . . . transforming me . . . and conforming me into the image of His Son.

Known . . . so known! How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God!