O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You them me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. (Psalm 139:1-12 ESV).
When Faith and Logan were almost two, they began to learn how to conquer the steps in their two-story home. As you can see from the picture each had a different approach. Faith preferred to back her way up the stairs one step at a time. Logan on the other hand, simply began to forward crawl up each of them. It was both exciting and terrifying to see them going up and down in those early days. This picture I’ve included today is one of the hundreds I have loaded on our digital picture frame. When I saw it earlier, I was reminded of how foolish we can be spiritually to imagine that “climbing” our way to God is something we either need to do or even can do.
In our reading today, David declares we have a “searching God.” We are assured that his love goes far beyond human circumstances. God knows our heart perfectly and cares about our deepest needs. He sends his Holy Spirit to bring us salvation, even as we stray from him or go through difficult and unfamiliar terrain. When we are hurt, when our situation looks bleak, when we are haunted by dark, anxious thoughts, we must remember that we are not alone. Our loving and caring God is always near and is able to help.
He has already come to us. This season, whether it is full of trials and challenge, please remember you do not need to crawl or backward scoot your way to Him. He has already descended to be with us forever. Jesus said: “Lo, I am with you even unto the end of this age” (Matthew 28:20). Trust Him to care for you in every way. Thank Him for His presence!