Psalms 139
God's knowledge of us is too wonderful for us to fully comprehend, and we should submit ourselves to be led by Him in the way everlasting.
Chuck Smith explores the profound theme of self-knowledge through Psalms 139, emphasizing God's intimate knowledge of our lives, from our thoughts to our actions. He highlights the struggle of understanding our true selves, as our hearts can be deceitful and we often shield ourselves from painful truths. Smith encourages believers to submit to God's guidance, recognizing that pride can hinder our willingness to seek help and direction. Ultimately, he calls for a humble acceptance of God's leading in our lives, urging us to trust in His presence and wisdom.
Text
"SEARCH ME, O GOD"
Intro: "Man know thyself" Most difficult, most painful.
I. GOD'S KNOWLEDGE OF ME.
A. My down sitting and uprising.
1. Nathaneal "Whence knowest thou me?"
B. "Thou understandeth my thoughts afar off."
1. Not He is way up in heaven and I'm way down here.
2. Knows my thoughts in the mystery of origin.
a. Before the subconscious projects it into the consciousness
C. "Thou compassest my path and my lying down" "sifted & searched."
1. "In Him we live, we move, we have..."
2. "I am encompassed by the presence of God."
a. As I walk this path of life He has preceeded me to every
experience.
b. If I look back on any past experience. He was there.
c. If I pause to look around I discover. He is here.
d. Verse 5.
II. THE DIFFICULTY OF SELF KNOWLEDGE.
A. "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, it is high, I cannot attain unto it."
1. We ourselves do not always know our own motives.
a. The heart is deceitful & desperately wicked
b. "Why did you do that son?" "Because my heart is deceitful &
desperately wicked."
2. We each have an ideal self and a real self.
a. I don't want to see my real self.
b. Constant rationale.
3. A built-in mechanism called nature has a way of shielding us from too
great a pain & we go into what is known as shock. When ever we start
getting close. . .
a. James in His N .T. Epistle said we are like a person looking
into a mirror.
B. Our uncertainty of the future.
Ill. THE PROPER COURSE OF ACTION IN THE LIGHT OF THESE TRUTHS.
A. "Lead me in the way everlasting."
1. Submit myself to be led by Him.
2. What keeps a man from submitting? Pride.
a. Blind man wandering a long the edge of the grand canyon going
opposite direction from camp.
"Here, sir, take my hand I will lead you."
"I need no help. I am capable."
"But 3 feet in front of you a sheer drop of thousands of feet"
"You can't get me with scare tactics."
"Please sir, take my hand before you destroy yourself"
"You're asking me to take an awful risk, I can't see you, why
should I trust you. How do I know you are there?"
"Risk? You can feel me, you hear my voice."
3. Did I say pride? Blind pride.
Sermon Outline
- I. GOD'S KNOWLEDGE OF ME
- A. My down sitting and uprising
- B. Thou understandeth my thoughts afar off
- C. Thou compassest my path and my lying down
- II. THE DIFFICULTY OF SELF KNOWLEDGE
- A. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, it is high, I cannot attain unto it
- B. Our uncertainty of the future
- III. THE PROPER COURSE OF ACTION IN THE LIGHT OF THESE TRUTHS
- A. Lead me in the way everlasting
Key Quotes
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” — Chuck Smith
“In Him we live, we move, we have our being.” — Chuck Smith
“I am encompassed by the presence of God.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should submit ourselves to be led by God and trust in His guidance.
- Pride can be a major obstacle to trusting in God's presence and voice.
- God's knowledge of us is too wonderful for us to fully comprehend, and we should humbly acknowledge this truth.