Search Me

The Depths of God's Knowledge: A Journey of the Heart

Bible Passage: Ps 139:7–24, Ps 139:1–24, Psalm 139:23–24

Summary: Psalm 139 reflects on God’s intimate knowledge of us, encompassing His omniscience and omnipresence, inviting believers to contemplate both His greatness and personal involvement in our lives.

Application: This sermon encourages us to embrace the truth that we are fully known and still loved by God, providing comfort in our struggles, motivating us to seek Him in honesty, and transforming our understanding of our identity in Christ.

Teaching: This passage teaches that before we utter a word or think a thought, God knows it completely; this profound knowledge leads us to a humble realization of our dependency on Him and the call to an authentic relationship.

How this passage could point to Christ: This Psalm ultimately points to Christ, who embodies God's intimate knowledge of humanity, as seen in His life that reveals God’s heart and in His sacrificial love that fully meets our deepest needs.

Big Idea: We are profoundly known by God, understood in our innermost being, which invites us to a deeper relationship with Him that transforms our lives and brings us true peace.

Recommended Study: As you prepare, consider diving into the original Hebrew terms used in Psalm 139 to grasp the depth of God’s omniscience and omnipresence. Look for commentaries in Logos that explore the implications of God’s knowledge in relation to free will and predestination, as well as how these concepts challenge or reinforce contemporary understandings of identity and belonging.

The New International Version (1984) Doxology

Psalm 139 is a reminder to us that we are created to live close to God. There is a unique connection between the creator and the creature, especially humanity. This Psalm is a reminder that we were created in the image of God. This is special to us in that we are called to a higher standard than all other created things. We don’t just live by pure animal intents, but in accordance to the moral standards of the living God. We belong to him and it it essential that we live as close to him as we can possibly live. Throughout scripture there is a beacon call from God to his people be holy as I am holy, if you please come closer to me and live as I created you to live.

As a call from God to live separate from the other created thing, we are required to seek out God and search our lives to see if there are thing that keep us at a distance from God. Such thing as our commitment to worship only God, our attitude toward others and God, and what controls us.

Search me Lord and know my heart today. Is my life, my actions. my motives, my thoughts and my loyalties centered around you our my own selfish desires? As we examine portions of this great Psalm allow God to search us and see if there is anything causes us to be distances from Him

1. Present in Every Place -Putting God into Perspective

Psalm 139:7–12 “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the 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.”

2. Precisely Crafted by God

Psalm 139:13–18 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.”

3. Purified by Divine Inspection

Psalm 139:19–24 “If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Maybe you should discuss the call to search

“Imagine two musicians tuning their instruments before a concert. One is slightly off-key, and the harmony is lost. They adjust until they create a beautiful sound together. Similarly, when our hearts align with God's holiness, we create harmony in our lives. Just as musicians must regularly tune, we too need to consistently realign our hearts with God's truth and grace. In this process, we can experience the beauty of true spiritual harmony.”

Psalm 139:1 (NIV84)

1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV84)

10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

“As we recognize God’s perfect knowledge, we are invited to open our hearts for His examination and transformation.