Where Am I With God?

ILLUST: Getting lost, wondering where you are? Am I close? Any idea?

Or…estranged from someone, the question lingers “So where are we?” “Are we good?”

That text message has not been read for 2 minutes…

You can only do your part in a relationship - though it is important you do

Understanding Relationship with God

Survey from last week:

(IMAGE) - Bible, easy #1; 13 of 18

You heard God’s Word

You Responded

TODAY: I’m going to ask - Where are you with God? He already knows where you are with Him.

We CAN always know where we are with Him, if that is our desire to know…

READ Psalm 139

First, let’s make sure we understand Him, His pressing in, leaning in to us for relationship

1) The Lord Knows You - Completely

Psalm 139:1-6

After all, He created you

He knows all, especially His own

(Teaching)

“sit down and rise up”; “my path and lying down”;

Knowing someone knows you this well can be overwhelming (v. 6) (wonderful = overwhelming)

Best to see it as His hand upon me = protection, blessing

This is a plea for the “genuine”

“Lord, You know me, You know my heart, You know that I really love you!” (Peter, anyone?)

“Forget what the world thinks or does, YOU KNOW!”

Yes, he does…

This Psalmist wants to be close to God, and wants to know it

It is overwhelming to think that God knows all, everything about us

And then…to realize His grace covers all that

THAT is overwhelming - His grace!

It can be very uncomfortable to have the Person who knows you the best, always around you…

That should also be a source of great comfort to you…

Where are you with God?

2) God is Always with You

Psalm 139:7-12

Even His very name - I AM - a statement of eternal presence and being

Exodus 3:14 NASB95

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

He created the universe - He is in all of it

Even the parts that science can’t possibly pretend to grasp

ASIDE: The Russians officially stated there was no need for God in space, and Khrushchev said as much:

Yuri Gagarin supposedly went to space and said he did not see God there - but he never said it - Khrushchev did - mocking believers

There is no sense in trying to hide from Him

(Ask Jonah, Elijah)

There is no place His light cannot impact - His light impacts you everywhere

Still…it is OK to acknowledge the darkness, life, challenges, issues and concerns

Because comfort is there

With Him always with you, you always have access to that comfort

And...it’s OK to express joy and happiness - He’d like you to know He is there, too

Where are you with God?

3) God Cares About Your Life

Psalm 139:13-18

You are more likely to care for something you made

Your children are more special to you than others’ children are to you

They are YOURS

Love verse 14

God knew you before you were born, knew you from conception

Did you talk to your babies in the womb?

You wanted them to know you when you finally got to meet face to face

Life begins at conception, and God knew you then

God has purpose for you - purpose from Him

Created for worship and fellowship

To point glory to Him

Knowing you have purpose can carry you through the day

Back to Him creating you

Since He created you - He cares about you

And His presence, His care, his purpose creates awareness

Our awareness of Him leads to

PRAISE!

“I will give thanks to You”

“I praise you!” because You made me

God made you - remarkably/fearfully

God made you - wonderfully - meaning unusual - not just “normal” or “ordinary”

God made you you!

The unique details about you - He knows, because you are a result of His works

Last thing on this point - This awareness of Him is awesome

Ever have a bad dream, and you just want to wake up?

Ever have a great dream, and you wake up and want to go back to sleep?

Relationship with God…Like a great dream - only when you wake up, it’s still very real and very present!

Where are you with God?

Now that we have a better understanding of Him….

4) The Lord Asks for your Surrender

Psalm 139:19-24

Fears can keep you from surrender

Our concern with the wicked…

Is this you? “The wicked frustrate me, make me angry, ruin my day!!” :)

We want justice, vindication

Wouldn’t life be easier if God just wiped them out?

This psalmist:

“Yes, God is good, He’s got this all under control, but C’MON, just take care of these wicked ones!”

Pride can keep you from surrender

READ - Genesis 3:1-13, shows a typical response to failure, response to fears of broken relationship

(Because deep down we DO desire a close relationship, just on our terms…)

We blame, shift guilt

“Not my fault “(not the statement of surrender)

Fear leads to decisions of self-preservation

Fear and Pride keep us from allowing the H.S. control of our self

Only you can keep you from surrender

And this hatred of the wicked…

Our hatred for evil should be tied to a commitment to God, not to pride

The close of this psalm:

QUESTION: What areas of your life need to be handed over to Him?

Are you bold to ask?

We are concerned with the wicked…what about our own sinful tendencies?

Isn’t that always the challenge?

So…where am I with God?

Where are you with God?

Saved? Surrendered?

How is that relationship? Is it really a relationship?

QUESTION: Do you want to conform to the world, or be transformed according to His will?

Are you willing to ask Him how you are doing?

How will you respond when He answers?