All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16
Mom, my sisters, and I waited by Dad’s bed as his breaths became shallower and less and less frequent—until they were no more. Dad was a few days shy of eighty-nine when he slipped quietly into the life beyond where God awaited him. His departure left us with a void where he once resided and only memories and mementos to remind us of him. Yet we have the hope that one day we’ll be reunited.
We have that hope because we believe Dad is with God, who knows and loves him. When Dad breathed his first breath, God was there breathing breath into his lungs (Isaiah 42:5). Yet even before his first and with every breath in between, God was intimately involved in each detail of Dad’s life, just as He is in yours and mine. It was God who wonderfully designed and “knit” him together in the womb (Psalm 139:13–14). And when Dad breathed his last breath, God’s Spirit was there, holding him in love and carrying him to be with Him (vv. 7–10).
The same is true for all of God’s children. Every moment of our brief life on earth is known by Him (vv. 1–4). We’re precious to Him. With each day remaining and in anticipation of the life beyond, let’s join with “everything that has breath” to praise Him. “Praise the Lord”! (150:6).
How does knowing that God is intimately involved in your life give you hope? How can you use your breath to praise Him?
Loving God, thank You for creating me and giving me breath—and for giving me hope. In the sorrow and losses of life, help me to cling to You.
INSIGHT
Responding to the threat of his enemies who are intent on killing him (Psalm 139:19–22), David turns his thoughts to God and meditates on who He is. The poet is perplexed by God’s omniscience—His knowledge of everything about him (vv. 1–6). He’s assured by God’s omnipresence—that He’s ever-present and will never forsake him (vv. 7–12). And he’s overwhelmed by His omnipotence—He’s the all-powerful Creator who created him (vv. 13–18). David speaks of a God who’s always present to guide him, provide for him, and protect him. There’s no place where he’s outside of God’s providential presence and care (vv. 7–12). Therefore, he’s committed to living a blameless life (vv. 23–24), for “everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).