Intro:

This past few days, the Philippimes has been experiencing earthquakes
and some devastating aftershocks. The most terrifying so far was in Mindanao, with Magnitude 7.6. And last
Tuesday, we are all surprised about that magnitude 5.7 Earthquake. So all of us are knowledgeable with what
earthquake is, and what earthquake looks like.. both intellectual and expereiential knowledege about Earthquake.
And because we know it, we know how to respond if it happens in time. (May mga memes nga, when you
compare how the other people from the countries react with earthqauke versus the Philippines. Them: DROP,
COVER, HOLD....The Filipinos: DROP, COVER, HOLD YOUR CELLPHONE AND UPDATE YOUR STATUS ON
FACEBOOK

What we think about God and our relationship to Him determines what we think about everything else that makes
up our busy world–other people, the universe, Godʼs Word, Godʼs will, sin, faith, and obedience. Wrong ideas
about God will ultimately lead to wrong ideas about who we are and what we should do, and this leads to a wrong
life on the wrong path toward the wrong destiny. In other words, theology–the right knowledge of God–is essential
to a fulfilled life in this world. David contemplated God and wrote for us a psalm whose message can only
encourage us to be in a right relationship with Him.

I. God Knows Us Intimately–We Cannot Deceive Him (vv. 1-6). The verb “search” means “to examine with
pain and care.” The Jewish people used this word to describe digging deep into a mine, exploring a land, and
investigating a legal case. Our friends see the outside, but God sees the heart, and we cannot deceive Him. Adam
and Eve tried it (Gen. 3]7-24), Cain tried it (Gen. 4]1-15), and even David tried it (2 Sam. 11–12), and all of them
discovered that God knew all about them. “Understand” in verse 2 means “to distinguish and discern with
insight” and not just gather raw data. “Compass” in verse 3 is a picture of winnowing grain, and “try” in verse 23
means “to test metal.” The fact that God knows us intimately and exhaustively is asserted in verses 1, 2, 4, 14, and
23. He knows our actions, our locations, our thoughts and words, our ways, and our motives. “All things are naked
and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4]13 nkjv). But even more, He knows what is
best for us and does all He can to guide us that way. He hems us in behind and before and puts His hand on us to
steady us and direct us. The word translated “beset” (kjv) or “enclosed” (nasb) means “to guard a valuable
object,” so Godʼs knowledge and guidance are for our protection. What should be our response to this? We should
be overwhelmed by the height and depth of Godʼs knowledge and be thankful that He knows us perfectly. “I am
not equal to it!” David exclaimed.

II. God Is with Us Constantly–We Cannot Dismiss Him (vv. 7-12). If God knows so much about us, perhaps
the wisest thing is to run away and hide, but all “escape routes” are futile. If we go up to heaven or down to sheol,
the realm of the dead, God is there; if we travel the speed of light to the east or west (the Mediterranean Sea is
west of Israel), His hand will catch us and tenderly lead us. We cannot hide even in the darkness, for to the Lord,
the darkness is as the light. God wants to walk with us and guide us, because His plan for us is the very best.
Why should we want to run away and hide? Adam and Eve tried it and failed (Gen. 3]8), and so did the prophet
Jonah, who only went from bad to worse. We need Godʼs presence with us if we want to enjoy His love and fulfill
His purposes. (See Isa. 43]1-7; Ps. 23]4; Matt. 28]19-20.)

III. God Made Us Wonderfully–We Cannot Disregard Him (vv. 13-18). This is one of the greatest passages
in literature about the miracle of human conception and birth. “In the presence of birth,” said Eugene Peterson,
“we donʼt calculate–we marvel.” David declared that God is present at conception and birth, because we are made
in the image of God and God has a special purpose for each person who is born. We live in and with our bodies all
our lives, and we know how amazing they are. God formed us as He wants us to be, and we must accept His will
no matter how we feel about our genetic structure, our looks, or our abilities. The verb “covered” (v. 13) means
“woven together” (v. 15 niv), and “intricately wrought” in verse 15 is translated “embroidered” in Exodus. In the
motherʼs womb, the Lord weaves and embroiders a human being, and abortion interrupts this miracle. What a
tragedy!
But the Lord did more than design and form our bodies; He also planned and determined our days (v. 16). This
probably includes the length of life (Job 14]5) and the tasks He wants us to perform (Eph. 2]10; Phil. 2]12-13). This
is not some form of fatalism or heartless predestination, for what we are and what He plans for us come from
Godʼs loving heart (33]11) and are the very best He has for us (Rom. 12]2). If we live foolishly, we might die before
the time God has ordained, but Godʼs faithful children are immortal until their work is done. How can we ignore
God when He has given us such a marvelous body and planned for us a wonderful life? Life is not a prison, it is an
exciting pilgrimage, and the Lord has prepared us for what He prepared for us. Our responsibility is to yield
ourselves to Him daily, ponder His thoughts found in His Word (92]5; Isa. 55]8-9), and walk in the Spirit. God
thinks of us (Jer. 29]11)! Should we not think about Him?

IV. God Judges Us Righteously–We Cannot Dispute Him (vv. 19-24). If we cannot deceive God, escape
God, or ignore God, is it not sensible to obey God? Yes, it is reasonable, but there are those who prefer to oppose
God and dispute what He says about them in His Word. David called these people wicked, violent, liars,
blasphemers, and rebels, and he grieved because of them. God also grieves over sinners–the Father does (Gen.
6]6), the Son does (Mark 3]5; Luke 19]41), and so does the Spirit (Eph. 4]30). Yes, it is difficult to love rebellious
sinners and still hate their sins, but we need more “holy hatred” in this day when blatant sin is a popular form of
entertainment. (See 11]5; 45]7; 97]10; Amos 5]14-15; Rom. 12]9, 19-21.) Whenever we pray, “Thy kingdom come,”
we are asking the Lord to judge the wicked, and we leave the matter in His hands. But David closed with a prayer
for God to search his heart, know his anxieties and concerns, forgive him, and lead him. We must be cautious as
we examine ourselves because we do not even know our own hearts (Jer. 17]9). It is best to open the Word and let
the Spirit search us and speak to us, for then we discover the truth. We must never dispute with God, for He loves
us and wants only the very best for us.

V. God Examines Us Personally-We Cannot Deny Him