Reverence for God; Psalm 139:1

Permeated with a Deep Sense of Reverence for God

Things calmed down after that and the church had smooth sailing for a while. All over the country—Judea, Samaria, Galilee—the church grew. They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. The Holy Spirit was with them, strengthening them. They prospered wonderfully. (Acts 9:31 MSG)

Psalm 139:1 

Lord, you have examined [investigated; searched] me and know all about me. Psalm 139:1 (EXB)

God, the Creator of all, has searched me… examined thoroughly… and knows… is fully and acutely aware of me and all that concerns me.  This is where a deep sense of reverence for God begins. For I must realize that God Almighty has intimate knowledge of all things…. that includes my heart and soul.

That knowledge is both frightening and comforting. Frighten, because God Almighty searched me and knows all that concerns me… and I am a sinner. 

Comforting, because of God’s mercy and grace, my sins are forgiven and He sees me clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 61:10). 

If I want to have a deep sense of reverence for God, first my relationship with God must be “In good standing”. I must confess my sin before God. 

I must then follow God’s example, and search and know God Almighty. A deep sense of reverence for God, must start with Who God is. As I learn about Who God is, a deep sense of reverence should overwhelm my heart and soul. 

Specific Destination

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The eleventh of each month, I'm studying Psalm 117. Here's what Treasure I found today.

For His mercy and loving-kindness are great toward us, and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord endure forever. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) Psalm 117:2 (AMP)

Toward us: literally, prevailed over or protected us.

God’s mercy and loving-kindness is great TOWARD US... TOWARD ME! It’s not just randomly thrown out there. God’s mercy and loving-kindness has a specific destination—me (and you too!). God knows about me. He cares about me, specifically 

God, investigate my life;

    get all the facts firsthand.

I’m an open book to you;

    even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.

You know when I leave and when I get back;

    I’m never out of your sight.

You know everything I’m going to say

    before I start the first sentence.

I look behind me and you’re there,

    then up ahead and you’re there, too—

    your reassuring presence, coming and going.

This is too much, too wonderful—

    I can’t take it all in! Psalm 139:1-6 (MSG) 

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;

    you formed me in my mother’s womb.

I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!

    Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

    I worship in adoration—what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

    you know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

    how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;

    all the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared

    before I’d even lived one day. Psalm 139:13-16 (MSG)

God’s love and mercy have a specific destination—TOWARD me! Knowing that I am the specific destination of God’s love and mercy, sure makes for a very positive day!