Where Can I Flee From Your Presence?
“1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.”
God knows all our actions, thoughts, words, and even the moment we were formed in our mother’s womb. Every movement, whether we sit or rise, lie down or walk, and even the hidden meditations of our hearts, are fully known to Him.
At times, we may feel fear at the thought, “What if all my thoughts and words are exposed before God?” Yet, this psalm reflects not fear but David's confession of warm and intimate love for God. Verse 5 speaks of God laying His hand upon us—a symbol of blessing. The omniscient and omnipresent God watches over us personally with His boundless compassion, showering us with His blessings. God's love is a love from which there is no escape—it is everywhere and enduring.
Advent is a season to meditate on Immanuel, "God with us." Seeing our insufficiencies, God Himself became human and came to us. The birth of Jesus is the tangible expression of the loving care described in Psalm 139.
God's hand guides and upholds us. He knows our weaknesses fully, yet He loves us unconditionally and cares for us wherever we are. During this Advent season, may you experience the warm and comforting love of God and the touch of His hand resting upon you.
Prayer: Lord, I give thanks as I reflect on Your eternal and almighty love, which knows me, lays its hand upon me, and upholds me with grace. I confess that the Lord of Advent is not distant but is the God who comes to us in our despair, isolation, and brokenness. May I experience Your tender hand and respond in joyful praise and heartfelt prayer during this season. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)
Devotional content is available on the Our Daily Bread website.