From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, May 1, 2023 at 5:52 AM

Subject: 5-1-23 THOUGHTS

5-1-23   THOUGHTS

As created human beings, we need to think on the greatness of our God frequently.  Many passages in the word take us beyond our experience level and expose us to the majestic and powerful Being who is infinitely beyond and above us.  Job 37-42:6 is a favorite reading.  I am always humbled when I finish the reading.  God’s Spirit working in David gives us another powerful reading below.  I love the ending words which are formed as a prayer.

Ps 139:1-24      O LORD, You have searched me and known me. 2  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. 3  You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4  Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all. 5  You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. 6  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it. 7   Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8  If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. 9  If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10  Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. 11  If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night," 12  Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.                                               [Skip to verse 17]
17  How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18  If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.  19  O that You would slay the wicked, O God; Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed. 20  For they speak against You wickedly, And 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 the utmost hatred; They have become my enemies. 23  Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24  And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

My Prayer:
Search us, O God, and know our hearts;  Try us and know our anxious thoughts; 24  And see if there be any hurtful way in us, And lead us in the everlasting way.  We praise you and exalt You, O Awesome God of forever.  How precious also are Your thoughts to us.  You are too high, we cannot attain to it.  How wonderful that You, O God, are the measure of our existence and not we ourselves.  It is comforting to be in Your hands, we see Your great love in Christ Jesus.  How fearfully and wonderfully You have made us. Thank you, O Father God.      In the name of our Savior,     Amen.