daily spiritual reflection - mar. 16

daily spiritual reflection

BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY: 

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.

You hem me in behind and before,

and you lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your spirit?

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,

your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me

and the light become night around me,"

even the darkness will not be dark to you,

the night will shine like the day,

for darkness is as light to you.

--Psalm 139:1-12

THOUGHT: This psalm is a poem where the author (David -- one of the great kings of ancient Israel, who wrote most of the Psalms of the Bible) describes what is like to be known by the Lord, this God of Israel. Unlike relationships with other people, this God knows us completely. In relationship with him, we do not have to be lonely, because we are always known, and loved. He knows where we are, he knows our deepest thoughts, and he keeps us company, always, no matter where we are. At other points in the Psalm it talks about how he planned us and dreamt us up, how he created us and we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." Each of us is a masterpiece of his love and creation.

One of the greatest parts of this Psalm is the line that says that "darkness is as light to you." Think of times in your life when you felt like you were in the dark. Maybe it was that you didn't know what your purpose or meaning was. Or maybe the heaviness and sadness of something like depression. Maybe loneliness. We all go through dark times, but it is a powerful thing to think that even when we feel that all is dark, hopeless, and confusing, this Psalm says that God sees clearly, and he can make light out of it, and he will carry us through. God holds us fast, and he will always outshine our darknesses.

CHALLENGE:  Read the rest of Psalm 139. Meditate on each piece of it, imagining the scenes in your head. Try speaking the words as a prayer/poem of your own. As you do so, consider journaling about the things that this God sees in you that no one else seems to have the patience or grace or listening capacity to actually understand. Journal about the darknesses that you could use his light shining into. Consider the impact of this Psalm on your ideas about your own identity-- and journal about the difference between who you are according to this Psalm and who you are in the rest of the world. Let God's presence accompany you as you meditate and journal, bringing light and life into your thoughts.