SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE

Psalm 139:7-8

โ€œIs the Bible relevant today?โ€ Stories from hundreds of years ago, weird names, suuuuper long chapters. It doesnโ€™t always feel relevant. But to read Scripture is another way for God to provide comfort, clarity, and wisdom. Scripture meditations like this one can help you figure out how to get started reading the Bible.

 

Take the Mask Off

The first thing Adam and Eve did after sin entered the Garden was to hide. They hid from one another. They hid from God.

And canโ€™t we just relate? It seems like weโ€™ve all gotten pretty good at hiding. Many of us wear plastered masks of โ€œhaving it all togetherโ€ as we go about our daily lives at work or with friends. We hide behind filtered pictures and meticulously curated scenes online.

To really let someone in, to let them see our true selves: our hopes, our flaws, our worst tastes in music, our silliest selves, our exhaustionโ€ฆ it feels scary and vulnerable in a way that most of us arenโ€™t used to.

Yet, God calls us to him in all of these moments. He knows where weโ€™re hiding. And how. And why. Oof.

But, the gospel reminds us that this is good news! Unlike the pressure we ordinarily feel, we have nothing to hide. God knows you. All of you. And, he still chooses to be nearโ€“ at your best and at your worst.

Psalm 139:7-8

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?

ย Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

ย if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

Observations from the Text

  • We canโ€™t โ€œditchโ€ God (v. 7)
  • Heโ€™s with us in our highest moments (v. 8)
  • Heโ€™s with us in our darkest times (v. 8)

Prayers of Response

Ever-present Lord, itโ€™s easy to feel close to you when I _________. Help that sense prevail in my dark hours, too.ย 

Devoted Father, thank you for seeing _______ in me and for the confidence I have in your love.

Prayer Requests

Light-Bringer, Iโ€™m done hiding ________. Give me the peace that comes from your abiding presence.

Jesus, right now, you feel far away. I need a reminder that you are still near.

Prayers of Readiness

Comforter, help me also become a safe place for those around me, so they donโ€™t feel like they need to hide.

God who walked the earth, open my eyes to see where youโ€™re with me today.

 

One way to start reading the Bible is through Scripture meditations. They help recognize reasons why the Bible is relevant today. Click here to see more!

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Versionยฎ, NIVยฎ. Copyright ยฉ 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.โ„ข Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The โ€œNIVโ€ and โ€œNew International Versionโ€ are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.โ„ข