Monday Manna : Since Time Began

Welcome to my contribution to Kristen's Monday Manna at Exemplified. For this time, we were asked to read the amazingly incredible Psalm 139 and write about a verse that stands out to our heart.

Choosing just one was quite a challenge, as this happens to be one of my absolute favorite psalms in the Bible with so many incredible verses with so many great truths. But, with the Lord's leading and guidance, I was able to pick one, and I hope my thoughts bless you.

Don't forget to stop by Exemplified and see what the other contributors have to say--and feel free to contribute yourself. Just write up your blog, then add your blog to the Mr. Linky gadget at Kristen's blog.

Since Time Began

...All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16 NIV

As some of you may know, I am currently working on a book about God's workings in our family during my husband's health troubles. It's been over five years since the issues started, and some of the little details seem to have escaped my memory, which is making this project a bit tougher than I would have expected.

Yet, the Lord could have written this book before either my husband or I were born. God knew, in eternity past, the precise second that we would be told there was a mass on Marc's brain that shouldn't be there. He knew exactly who and when that "mystery giver" would put a $100 bill in an envelope and stuck it in our mailbox when we needed it most.

But, do you know what? He also knew far before I was born that I was going to snap at my daughter for no reason yesterday. That I was going to make something of a habit of stealing candy from the grocery store when I was a 'tween. That I was going to rebel against my parents all through my teen years. That I was going to do a lousy job of taking care of "His temple" in my 20's. And that, even after I was saved, I would continue to disappoint him over and over.

Yet, he still chose me to be one of his beloved children, a member of His family.

Does that blow you away as much as it does me? If I had been God, and had His foresight into what kind of person I was, I never would have picked me to be a chosen one. Just goes to show that I'm fortunate that God isn't like me. And you should be glad too. I mean, think about it. Would you choose yourself to be a child of the perfect God? Aren't you glad God's choosing of us has nothing to do with our works, or worthiness?

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

What a gift from God--who knew how I was going to blow it, yet still chose me.

This verse, by the way, reassures me in yet another way. Let's look at it one more time.

...All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16 NIV

If God loves me (which he does - pick a verse to prove it) and works out all for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28), then I can know that everything that has happened in my past, as well as whatever the future may hold, has been filtered through God's hand and can help me to please Him, and make me more like Him. It is all part of "my book"--the book that has already been written. My days have been ordained for me, and no matter what happens, no matter how unexpected things may appear to me, God knew about every one. He's been "planning it" since before time began.

If that isn't reassuring, I don't know what is.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your amazing Word, that reveals more and more to me each time I take the effort to read and meditate on it. I praise You for Your amazingly comforting foreknowledge of all, and for your watchcare of us, despite how often we fail you. Thank You, Lord, for choosing me despite myself, and for giving me the incredible privilege of being saved by grace. Help me, Lord, to live worthy of my precious calling. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.