Psalm 139

“Lord, you have probed me, you know me: you know when I sit and when I stand; you know my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 139:1

This is a psalm of David, a man of true complexity. David became a great king but was not always a great person. Ultimately David turned to the Lord in humility and repentance and let the Lord work through him.

I think we all go through times in life where we think we have a different “face” to the Lord, as though he couldn’t tell what was really in our hearts or on our minds. Like our own children, we only want our God to be happy with us and proud of us…but sometimes we know our actions will not bring about happiness or pride. What we do know, what we can understand deep within, is that if we approach God humbly and in repentance we will be forgiven. What a wonderful gift…to be known wholly for who we are and to be loved…wholly for who we are.

Today isn’t a wonderful day, I am crabby and out of sorts. When I sat down to write all I could think was “God, I don’t feel like it.” Then I happened on this psalm. God knows I don’t feel like it, but God knows that I am enriched by it, God knows when I sit and when I stand. The psalm goes onto say “behind and before you encircle me” (5). What comfort on days like these. So, I hope your day is better than mine, but you will have days like this too, and when you do I pray that you remember that God knows when you sit and when you stand, and he encircles you. You are wholly loved, and tomorrow is another day.

Lord, help me remember in prayer today all of those who suffer from depression or any mental illness. Help me be compassionate not only to them, but to the others affected by it. Help me be a source of consolation.