God's Presence: Psalm 139 (Love)

Read Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Are you ready to make an investment in the Fruit of Love?

Read Psalm 16:11

"You make known to me the path of life: in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Relax and meditate for a few minutes on the idea that God is present with you right now.

In the response area, assess how much you feel like God is present with you at this moment.

Consider King David's 'Song of Thanks' in 1 Chronicles 16:8-11

"Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!"

Now it's your turn to praise the Lord. If you wish, you can write your praise in the space provided.

Read Psalm 139:

"O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
men of blood, depart from me!
They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain!
Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!"

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Go to 'DOCUMENTS' and read Oswald Chambers' observations on Psalm 139.

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Now, take to a moment to get quiet before the Lord.

When you are ready, like the Psalmist, ask Him to search you, to know your thoughts, and reveal to you any grievous ways within you.

If you like, you can write down anything you receive in the space provided.

Given what you received, is there anything you would like to repent of (express your sorrow)?

If so, you may do privately or in the space provided.

Ask the Lord if He has any specific instruction to lead you in "the way everlasting".

Again, feel free to write down anything you receive.

Consider the prayer of Jesus in John 17:5:

"And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed."

How important is it for Jesus to be with His Father?

Now, in light of the Word of God that you have read, how frequently do you want God to be present with you?

How much do you feel like God is present with you right now?

What, if anything, did God reveal about Himself to you through this Trail?

How much has this Trail increased the Fruit of Love in your present disposition?