O Lord You Know It All--My Soul Knows It Well

Crocus in my yard this winter.

            I saw this little flower under the cherry tree in my backyard this winter.  It was a surprise.  I didn't expect to see it so soon.  It had sprouted and bloomed without my noticing.  It was a pretty little flower.  One of God's tiny creations. The picture I took doesn't do it justice.

           My first thought was--This little beauty might have lived and died without anyone having seen it, if I hadn't come along.   My next thought--God knows it is here; He sees it. 

          It made me think of the Scripture about giving your alms in secret and God will reward you. . . and entering your prayer closet in secret. . .and God will hear.  It even caused me to think of that riddle--If a trees falls in a forest and no one is there, will it make a sound?  I'm not sure if that's a philosophical or a scientific question.  Surely it has something to do with our fascination with the physical world--if something can't be seen, or heard, or touched, or smelled, or tasted, maybe it doesn't exist at all?  Of course, because I'm a believer I don't believe that.

           Putting those questions aside, I want to give you this Psalm of David.  It reads like a beautiful poem.

                    O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

You scrutinize my path and my lying down,

And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.

Even before there is a word on my tongue,

Behold, O Lord, You know it all.

You have enclosed me behind and before,

And laid Your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is too high, I cannot attain to it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend to heaven, You are there,

If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there;

If I take the wings of the dawn,

If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

Even there Your hand will lead me,

And Your right hand will lay hold of me.

I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,

And the light around me will be night,"

Even the darkness is not dark to You,

And the night is as bright as the day.

Darkness and light are alike to You.

For you formed my inward parts;

You wove me in my mother's womb.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Your works,

And my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:1-14 (New American Standard Version)

Julie Roberts Lyda gave me permission to use this adorable picture of her sweet children.