Savoring the Scripture

You Lay Your Hand Upon Me Psalm 139  The child of God sees God’s presence everywhere and experiences the joy of God’s watchful eye over him. VanGemeren  The presence of the Lord. The nearness of our God. Immanuel: God with us. Psalm 139 celebrates the intimacy of a relationship with the living God. From the Garden of Eden when God walked with Adam and Eve until the story of God’s redemption plan reaches its consummation in the final chapters of Revelation with the promise that our God shall dwell among us (Revelation 21:3), the Scripture paints a beautifully merciful and glorious picture of the Lord as the One who is with us. Wherever God’s people were, there He was with them guiding, protecting, providing, purifying, and loving. But it was not just the fact of His presence, but it was the intimacy of His touch, the depth of His knowing, and the tenderness of His heart toward the people who “are but dust” (Psalm 103:14). Our God is both transcendent, dwelling in a high and hol...

Prayer for the Transforming Power of God Psalm 138 It is not always the situation which most needs changing; it is, as often as not, the man involved in it.  Derek Kidner God kindly grants us examples in nature of truths in His Word so that we can more readily understand. One such example is the process of metamorphosis, where a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. Unless we had learned and observed the process of metamorphosis, we would never imagine that a butterfly in its larva stage would ever transform into a butterfly. The change is too radical. The appearance too altered. And yet, that is exactly what takes place. This familiar transformation demonstrates the power of God. God’s power radically transforms. What situation, loved one, or sinfulness within yourself needs that kind of metamorphosis? “God is in the business of transformation” (BSF, Lesson 3 Notes).  David’s confidence in God’s work Psalm 138 begins a final collection of Davidic psalms which extends from ...