I don’t think that I’ve ever marked the verse as a “promise” before, but this morning it seemed not only appropriate, but so comforting. In this post- quarantine, mid-pandemic season, when leaving our homes seems to be the right thing to do even though the indicators are that the virus is surging, this promise in the midst of this glorious psalm is the balm needed this morning to quiet what can be, from time to time, a disquieted soul.

. . . in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

(Psalm 139:16b ESV)

There’s a book. A book in heaven. Jehovah, the Creator’s book. And in that book there is written the days that were formed for me. Every one of them. Written in that book in heaven before I breathed my first breath on earth.

Days penned for me by the One who formed me. Who knit me together in my mother’s womb. Who made me. My frame was not hidden from Him then, nor is He unaware of it now.

In fact, far from winding me up and setting me loose, He searches me and knows me. Knows when I sit down, knows when I stand up. Acquainted with all my ways. Behind me, before me. His hand upon me. Where shall I go that His Spirit is not with me? Short answer: nowhere.

I’m not out of sight, out of mind. Rather, He thinks of me. The Almighty God of heaven and earth has thoughts concerning me. Precious thoughts. Thoughts, which if I could count them, would be more than counting all the sand on all the beaches in the world.

Because there is a book. A book in heaven. Where there is written, everyone one of them, the days that were formed for me.

And I am confident that what God ordains, and what God begins, God finishes.

And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

(Philippians 1:6 ESV)

The LORD has begun a good work. At first, manifest in His workmanship through natural birth, by which I was fearfully and wonderfully made. And then, His workmanship through supernatural rebirth, where I was “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that [I] should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

(Psalm 139:6 ESV)

And this morning, such knowledge is a promise for me. A fresh promise. A soul quieting promise. A courage renewing promise. An unfailing promise.

A reminder of His abundant grace. Another reason to give Him all the glory.