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Christmas is the message that good news doesn’t expire. The Christian calendar is full of “holy days” that point us to the activity and faithfulness of God. Christmas is not just a season but the very source of sustaining joy.
In today’s message, we want to reflect on the application of Jesus’ incarnation.
- Incarnation = in flesh.
- Jesus did not subtract deity but added humanity.
- John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and dwelt/tabernacled among us [“moved into the neighborhood”][1]. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and full of truth.”
- Mt 1:21 “they shall call his name ‘Emmanuel,’ which means, God with us.”
Christmas is the message that good news doesn’t expire. The Christian calendar is full of “holy days” that point us to the activity and faithfulness of God. Christmas is not just a season but the very source of sustaining joy.
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EXAMINE PSALM 139
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
The Psalm inscriptions are important and shouldn’t be skipped.[2] There are 55 Psalms directed to the choirmaster, and 73 are linked with David as the author.[3] Essentially, the inscriptions provide the reader a) historical context, and b) the decibel level – or instructions to the musicians for how it should be read/sung (celebratory praise / lament blues / instrumental reflection / etc.), with the purpose of the psalms to inspire worship and give praise to God.[4]
We should read Scripture to learn about God but more to love God. The Christian life includes head information, heart transformation, and hand application. The psalmist isn’t referencing a God he read about in a book but describing the God that he relates on a profoundly personal level that has impacted all his life.
In this psalm we discover 4 truths of God’s personal presence with us.
God knows me deeply.
1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
The word “know” is repeated 6x (vv.1, 2, 4, 14, 23) in this psalm. It affirms that God knows everything known, unknown, and knowable. Theologians call this “omniscience” = having all knowledge. And the incomparable God with immeasurable knowledge is said to know us exhaustively, searching [khawkar] us[5] – as military soldiers scout a city, or forensic examinations, or students investigating information.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. God knows our every day: when I sit (night) and rise (day). God’s knowledge supersedes Santa who sees you when you’re sleeping and knows when you’re awake, and knows if you’ve been bad or good, so you better be good for God’s sake! God’s knowledge exceeds the NSA with eyes extending beyond cameras and visibility inside households and to the depths of the human heart.
3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. God knows our every direction: God searches [zawrah = winnows or refines] all our plans and hopes. He knows what is fruitful or harmful to your soul.
God’s omniscience can disturb or comfort, depending on the confidence of our actions. And while some people may depart from us based on knowing certain aspects about us, God chooses to continue pursuing and refining us. That’s the good news of Psalm 139.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. God knows our discourse – our speech, every idle word, and even the words we want to say and choose differently bc we know it will unsettle or upset persons. It’s why in other places the author prays to guard his mouth and thoughts (Ps 19:14; 141:3).
5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. God knows our defenses – he hems (tsoor = presses in and surrounds).[6] In this case, the psalmist is comforted by God’s protective hand. And David, though he cannot understand (too wonderful, inexplicably high), still finds refuge in God bc the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous can enter and be safe (Pr 18:10).
God is with me endlessly.
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
The psalmist expresses that we cannot escape God’s endless presence; (“omnipresence”). There is no one more advanced or elevated than God, and even death cannot make God disappear. The grave is not an escape route from God but a doorway into the eternal realm. Heaven is God’s blessing, but hell is not the absence of God’s presence but the absence of God’s protection from justice and judgment; being without mercy or grace. Therefore, hell is horrifying bc God is ever present with the penalty of His wrath. See: Rev 14:10 “torment in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb”; Rev 20:3 “smoke goes up forever and ever.”
The endless presence of God in the life of a believer means nothing is impossible with God. This was the case for Joseph & Mary as they received overwhelming news with the divine pregnancy, with the birth narrative, and all throughout the parental care for Jesus.
And this is the case for all who believe. So, whatever is to come in 2025, God’s endless presence will sustain you.
- When school stress multiplies. God is with you.
- When work tasks grow. God is with you.
- When family conflict escalates. God is with you.
- When health diagnosis surprise. God is w/ you.
- When grief attacks and lingers. God is w/ you.
- Waiting for answers/solutions. God is w/ you.
The feeling of being “nowhere” and abandoned by God can hit anyone. But our faith reminds us the difference of feeling like we are no where and that God is “now here” is just a little space. In this new year, remember to prioritize spiritual growth to experience the faithful “now hereness” of God.
Feeling of being “nowhere” and abandoned by God can hit anyone. But the difference between feeling experiences and faith realities is just a little space. In this new year, remember to prioritize spiritual growth to experience the faithful “now here-ness” of God.
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9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” 12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
God’s presence is known across any distance or darkness. As the hymn writer says[7], “What have I to dread? What have I to fear? [I’m] Leaning on the everlasting arms. I have blessed peace with my Lord so near… leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms… Leaning on the everlasting arms.” (Cf Dt 33:27) God offers comfort and peace in each tearful and fearful moment.
“What have I to dread? What have I to fear? [I’m] Leaning on the everlasting arms. I have blessed peace with my Lord so near… leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms… Leaning on the everlasting arms.”
– Elisha A. Hoffman and Anthony J. Showalter
God made me wonderfully.
13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.
While the previous verses declare God’s omniscience (knowledge) and omnipresence (spirit), vv.13-18 describe God’s omnipotence (power). The same God who created heavenly realms, spacious skies, majestic mountains, and stunning ocean-views with sunrise and sunset, is the same God whose creative excellence was on display with humanity.
v. 13 inward parts is literally kidneys/heart but is poetic to describe the position of one’s being and desires; in essence: the soul… which begins at conception in the mother’s womb and is intricately woven with the divine embroidery work of God – every detail handmade! v. 14 fearfully made represents the reverence of divine creation, and wonderfully made is word usage to describe miracles and how God sets His people and creations apart from that which does not belong to Him (cf Ps 1:6; 4:3; and Ex 8:22; 9:4; 11:7; 33:16).[8] God knows the number of days for each person inside & outside the womb – there is never a premature or surprise death, for God designates each breath and step of our life.
Like the child who returns home from school with artwork, the parent proudly displays it on the fridge or table. No parent wants to crush a child’s spirit. Or imagine an esteemed artist or architect produces an astounding structure that is admired by multiple communities. – Infinitely greater, your life is a work of art, a masterpiece created in God’s image with His fingerprints. And masterpieces are not to be sit in a corner or shelved to collect dust. No matter how fragile or frail the artwork; even if you have what others call a handicap or defect, God wants every piece of His art to point others to the Creator. God can take any limitation or weakness to display His strength and splendor.
God will vindicate me righteously.
19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! 20 They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? 22 I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.
At first, this sort of language in the psalms sounds contradictory toward the kindness and forgiveness of the faith-life. Are we really allowed to speak and pray like this?
Two things to know about interpretation, and specifically the imprecatory/cursing psalms:
- Descriptive vs Prescriptive: Sometimes a Bible passage is simply describing what happened; a person’s actions or speech. It’s not necessarily promoting or defending the behavior as a model to replicate. So, look for the narrative lesson, or parallel passages that prescribe or prohibit behaviors.
- The OT is fulfilled in Christ. Imprecatory psalms are not emotional outbursts and explosion of anger but resolved objectives for implementing God’s justice.[9]
We don’t call down curses on others bc Jesus became a curse for us. Therefore, we pray for God’s will to come on earth as it is in heaven. We are not vengeful, but we pray for God to vindicate His purpose and principles. We pray for God to punish evil and correct injustice.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
The final verses reflect our means for receiving God’s vindication. The psalmist reflects humble faith and surrendered obedience. David knows the curse of sin and prone to wander nature is present in his own heart. So, he prays for God to prune his selfishness and purify his faith.
Too often the church is busy with fixing the culture when God wants them to start with the individual Christian. David’s example is to not look out the window but in the mirror to start God’s judgment.
> Start January with fasting 1x week and participation in our prayer & praise night J25.
APPLY/TAKEAWAY
There is a story from a generation ago about a rural community that didn’t have electricity. [10] They had heard about electricity reaching the city, and understood it was being established in more populated areas first. After a while, the electric company began running lines to the rural area. After a few months of electricity being established, the electric company noticed microscopic amounts of energy being used. So, the company sent a serviceman out to the rural area to see if there was any problem. Everywhere the serviceman went, he asked the people if they were using their electricity. They all responded affirmatively. But upon further investigation, the only purpose they used the electricity was to turn the light on long enough so they could light their candles and kerosene lamps. The community did not understand the power that was available to them.
Many Christians and churches settle for a candlelight existence when God offers us the electrifying power of His presence.
> Where are you settling for less of God?
God knows me deeply.
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God is with me endlessly.
God made me wonderfully.
God will vindicate me righteously. #Psalm139
[1] Eugene Peterson’s The Message paraphrase of the verse.
[2] https://www.logos.com/grow/bsm-superscriptions-in-psalms/
[3] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/reading-psalm-superscriptions-through-the-centuries/
[4] See https://www.crossway.org/articles/10-things-you-should-know-about-the-psalms/, https://www.gotquestions.org/musical-terms-in-the-Bible.html
[5] See word meaning https://biblehub.com/hebrew/2713.htm
[6] https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6696.htm
[7] https://hymnswelove.blogspot.com/2012/05/story-behind-leaning-on-everlasting.html
[8] C. John Collins, “The Psalms,” in Psalms–Song of Solomon, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. V, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2022), 660.
[9] https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/10-things-you-should-know-about-the-imprecatory-psalms.html
[10] Adapted from Tony Evans, Book of Illustrations: “God, power of.”
Growing Godly Generations 