[…] Reflecting on this hymn reminded me of Psalm 139. David knew and trusted in God’s power wholly–to the point that it intimidated him. He knew God to be omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient. Throughout the psalm, we see David working out his understanding of who God is in the context of these qualities. He stated, “Where can I go from your Spirit; where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). In this question, we see David long to run to a place where every thought and detail of his life is either unknown or forgotten. You know, the exact opposite of the Cheers theme song. A type of freedom that actually isn’t free at all. And this makes sense if the one who possesses this type of power isn’t good. This power of God was terrifying to David until he came to experience that He isn’t just all-knowing and all-powerful…he’s all-loving, too. He’s good. Omni-benevolent. This has had every implication for our lives, as it did for David’s. Instead of David desiring to run from God, he finally understood God as a refuge. God knew everything about David, every great and shameful detail, and he loved him still. He does the same for us. [Thoughts here from the psalm and Brad Synder’s sermon: Fully Loved and Fully Known]. […]
[…] Reflecting on this hymn reminded me of Psalm 139. David knew and trusted in God’s power wholly–to the point that it intimidated him. He knew God to be omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient. Throughout the psalm, we see David working out his understanding of who God is in the context of these qualities. He stated, “Where can I go from your Spirit; where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). In this question, we see David long to run to a place where every thought and detail of his life is either unknown or forgotten. You know, the exact opposite of the Cheers theme song. A type of freedom that actually isn’t free at all. And this makes sense if the one who possesses this type of power isn’t good. This power of God was terrifying to David until he came to experience that He isn’t just all-knowing and all-powerful…he’s all-loving, too. He’s good. Omni-benevolent. This has had every implication for our lives, as it did for David’s. Instead of David desiring to run from God, he finally understood God as a refuge. God knew everything about David, every great and shameful detail, and he loved him still. He does the same for us. [Thoughts here from the psalm and Brad Synder’s sermon: Fully Loved and Fully Known]. […]