Read Psalm 139

It’s the part I didn’t want anyone to know and I couldn’t talk to anyone about it. I was too ashamed. I was too scared. People tell me that vulnerability is a good thing but how can it be? As I write this, I can’t begin to imagine what that thing is for you; I don’t know you. But I do know me. I know all too well the parts of me I don’t want people to see, and I do a pretty good job of hiding those parts of me away where no one can see. And I just show up looking like everything is ok. But how many of us live with “imposter syndrome.” At some point, “they” are going to figure me out. What will “they” say? I don’t know.

But what about God? Does God know me? It can be almost terrifying to read Psalm 139. He knows me better than I know myself! That means he knows ___________! But look really closely at Psalm 139. Perhaps the verse that sticks out the most is this most famous verse, Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” And don’t miss the point! You are a beautifully, articulately, carefully crafted piece of art from the hand of your Creator. What a gift!

But don’t miss the rest. There’s so much more there! He didn’t just have eyes on you when he made you in your mother’s womb and then forget about you and leave you to fend for yourself. No! He knew you always. Doesn’t that sound strange? He knew (past tense) you always (forever in the present). I’ll say it again. He knew you always!

“My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place” (Psalm 139:15). Never were you hidden from your God. But what about that part that sits in the blank spot? “If I say, ‘Surely 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 139:11-12). “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely” (Psalm 139:4).

God knows me completely. God knows what keeps me up at night; he knows what gives me peace. God knows what I struggle with; he knows what gives me strength. God knows my battles; he sends his Son to battle for me.

God knows me completely. And what does he do with that knowledge? He never leaves me. He gives me Jesus who lived my struggle, who lived my temptation, who lived my sin. He did it all for me.

Dear brother . . . Dear sister in Christ . . . he did it all for you BECAUSE he knows you completely. “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me” (Psalm 139:1). And knowing that, you know that his grace is for you . . . even in the blank spot.