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The Pilgrim Path (5-8-2020)

The Pilgrim Path---Psalm 139:16--18 (5--8--20)

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. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

YOU ARE KNOWN

---v. 16---Predetermined course: The Lord's Own are not only fearfully and wonderfully made (v. 14), all their days have been ordained and "written" in the Master's Book. Your life is not ruled by "fate"---or the blind forces of the inevitable. The God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is working all things after the counsel of His Own Will (Ephesians 1:11). You may wonder in "Pandemic Days"---when you might have a somewhat heightened routine---IF what you are doing even has value? But it does---when done to the glory of God (Colossians 3:17---"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him"). Our days, are days for Him. Often we must call on Him for necessary strength and love---but that is the reason He is the Savior and we are the servants.

---v. 17---Precious Awareness: King David says that God's thoughts toward us are quite vast! Now this is something---seeing as how the LORD determines the number of the stars---and names them all (Psalm 147: 4). All the hairs upon your head (changing daily)---every word, before it is formed on the back of your tongue...incredible awareness. This is "love" for His Own...From Spurgeon: "In our sorrows He observes us incessantly, and not a pang escapes Him; in our toils He marks all our weariness, and He writes in His book all the struggles of His faithful ones. These thoughts of the Lord encompass us in all our paths, and penetrate the innermost region of our being. Not a nerve or tissue, valve or vessel, of our bodily organization is uncared for; all the littles of our little world are thought upon by the great God."

---v. 18---Powerful Math: More numerous than grains of sand---His thoughts toward His own..."I awake, I am still with you"---Why, yes YOU are---always watching---always aware...always working for your good (Romans 8:28). Now, what is the Father's aim? Well, each has a little different curriculum---all the same goal: "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son..." (Romans 8:29).

The old Scottish preachers would say, "We must labor to have God in our thoughts." This is true. We must labor to be near Him. From Richard Sibbes: "God is near to all that call upon him. There is not a minute of time in all of our life but we must either be near to God or we will be undone. We must grow in our understanding and fill our thoughts with him. The soul is never at rest till it rests in him. The soul grows in the Spirit and finds sweet communion. Our affections mount up in prayer as in a fiery chariot to hear him speak in us, seeking comfort in our distresses. Draw near to him in praise. This is the daily work of the angels and saints in heaven. Let us lift up our hearts with joy inexpressible (I Peter 1:8)."

"No matter what the future holds, God is in control with a power greater than death...God is so committed in love to always be with us that he won't even let death separate us (Romans 8: 38-39). We will be with him forever." Tim Keller

Loved with everlasting love,

Led by grace that love to know;

Spirit, breathing from above,

Thou hast taught me it is so!

Oh, this full and perfect peace!

Oh, this transport all divine!

In a love which cannot cease,

I am His, and He is mine.

George Wade Robinson (1838-1877)

Grace & Peace in Jesus Christ Our LORD, Pastor Jason