Psalm 139: God has a plan

January 19, 2021 (Tuesday)

 

Today, I’m going to be blunt. If you hold extreme political views feel free to read something else.

 

Yesterday America celebrated MLK day. I’m not going to claim to be an expert on the man, but from my experience, it seems he was a man of principle. He preached and practiced peace. He dreamed of a time when a person was “not be judged by the color of his skin but the content of his character.” In NYC, BLM celebrated the man by rioting.

 

Tomorrow our country will swear in a new president. Some view this as “the end of the word,” while others hail this as a hopeful reversal to the bitterness that divided the country. While some celebrate coming into power, others are terrorized by the feeling of losing control and voice. What will happen? Time will tell.

 

In Psalm 139 we have learned that God knows us, God is already there, and God designed and made us. One of the things we know is God has a plans. “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!” [Psalm 139:17 CEB] The word translated precious might mean “incomprehensible.” It has the idea of something that is “heavy” or “costly.”

 

David insists, “If I tried to count them—they outnumber grains of sand! If I came to the very end—I’d still be with you.” [Psalm 139:18 CEB] To get an idea of God’s plans, he says, they outnumber the grains of sand. According one NPR story, there are seven quintillion, five hundred quadrillion grains of sand on earth. Another has proposed 7.5 sextillion, with 17 zeros. Just try counting that high, let me know how far you get.

 

Seeing the uptick in people who hate God, David cries out, “If only, God, you would kill the wicked! If only murderers would get away from me.” [Psalm 139:19 CEB] David launches into an ugly rant against the wicked. Then it seems, in mid flow, David pulls up short.

 

Could David be acknowledging that his heated and hateful emotions against the wicked may rightfully apply to himself? Suddenly, David prays a fearless request, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” [Psalm 139:23 – 24 ESV] The most fearless thing in the world is to acknowledge what is in our heart. To let God put us on trial is either insanity to the max or a burning desire to walk in the correct way.

 

The truth is God is the only one that knows what lurks in the dark corners of our heart. Jeremiah declared, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” [Jeremiah 17:9 ESV] What should stop a thoughtful person cold in their thoughts, “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” [Jeremiah 17:10 ESV] Do you really want the fruit of your deeds? Didn’t think so… (assuming you were honest).

 

Whether carrying a flag with Jesus’ name into the Capitol building or attacking police and looting stores, I have no doubt these people think they are right. But there is a problem with mindless adherence on the path of violence and destruction. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.” [Proverbs 21:2 ESV] Here’s the deal. God will hold you accountable. God will hold us all accountable.

 

Maybe this chaos, coupled with covid, is the beginning of God’s judgment on America. Maybe this is only a warning shot. “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” [2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV]