Series Introduction

Being ‘known’ by God is a timeless biblical truth, but there are seasons when it’s more potently nourishing than others. Teenage years, for example. Maybe times of birth, illness, threat, or death. Whether presently in a season like that or just fortifying our faith, let’s nest our identity safely where it should be. Let’s rehearse truth through the words of a king and a prophet: David’s Psalm 139 and Jeremiah’s call.

Reflection:

Father God, you know my thoughts,

Son of God, you empathise with my feelings,

Holy Spirit, you examine my heart.

All my days’ activities—my work, my rest,

All my intimate contemplations—those ‘inseparable companions’,

Each brainwave, you discern and understand.

You toss and winnow my steps—finger my plans and the paths of my life.

I speak not one word about which you don’t already know.

By the palm of your hand I’m sheltered, guided, and prodded.

This kind of being known, it’s beyond my understanding, awesome and comforting.

(Author’s paraphrase of Psalm 139:1-6)

Some writers say they resonate with a tone before they find the words. They know the sound of a sentence before putting pen to paper.**

No wonder David — the poet/musician — found himself in cahoots with the choirmaster. More than 50 of the Psalms are ‘for the choirmaster’. Here’s someone who resonates with the sound of poetry in petition, contemplation, desperation, lament, praise. He’s tuned to enable God’s people to sing. Re-read these first six verses. Can you capture a tone?

Maybe David was softly humming when he began the psalm. It’s so personal, intimate, experiential. There’s not a hint of discomfort in this searching, all-knowing God. In fact, the more David writes the more confident he is in wonder and worship. The more momentum in the tune…until, as we know, he leans right into God’s all-knowing: You’re a searching God, so do your thing. Search me! (v23)

I will never be more known by God than now… Never…be more known…by God…than now!

The more I grasp that truth, the more I lean into him. And the more I yield and entrust to him, the more Christ-like and whole I become.

What a tune to live to!

Prayer:

I’m in wonder and worship, Father, Son and Spirit.

I thought I knew me, but, oh, you consummately know me—

know what I’ve accomplished…and wished I had;

what I’ve thought…and wished I hadn’t;

where I’ve travelled and tripped

and every pillow on which I’ve laid my head;

what I’ve said…and wished I had or hadn’t;

what I think I need…and what I really need.

Grow me in yielding love and faith as I rest in your knowing embrace.

Confront and comfort me, your treasured one, today in your knowing embrace.

To reflect further on this Psalm, listen to The Corner Room’s “Psalm 139:1-6” here.

**Sentiments attributed to musician Bobbie Ann Mason and writer Eudora Welty.