“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it.” Psalms 139:1-6 (NASB)
I will never forget the moment I could have lost my little grandson forever. We had gone for a walk with friends along the edge of the ocean. My grandson was enjoying the challenge of climbing over rocks, up steep banks, and over trees on the rough trail, but suddenly, there he was, hanging by a root over the ocean and rocks below. My heart skipped a beat! He did not say a word. I quickly grabbed his wrists and lifted him back onto the trail. He simply said, “Thank you Papa.” And off he went down the trail.
That moment played over and over in my thoughts for days. Two things struck me: What if he had fallen onto the rocks and into the ocean? What amazing confidence he seemed to have in me!
I had been with him every step along the way, saying again and again, “Let me help you.” But he insisted each time, “Me do it, Papa!” But when crisis came, he knew I was there to help. I’m sure he did not fully understand the danger he was in, but his “thank you” communicated his appreciation.
God promises to be with us always. In fact, as Psalm 139 declares, we cannot escape His presence. He fully grasps the implications of all the dangers we face. Yet we, like my grandson, do not. God’s commitment is to journey with us in relationship. He seeks to provide for us and to protect us. If we resist Him we may end up in grave circumstances. Each day we have a choice: we can walk under the guidance of his direction or choose to be independent of it. How will you respond to His presence with you today?
Dear Father, Thank You for Your presence in my life journey. May I understand and trust the reality of Your moment-by-moment guidance today and not resist. Amen.
By Mike Woodard
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