Our Heavenly Father’s Intimate Knowledge and Care

In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, especially over the recent days, what better place could I point you than to the steadfast love of our heavenly Father? Psalm 139, most likely penned by David during a season of personal trial, offers a profound glimpse into God’s heart. This psalm is not merely a theological treatise; it is a personal invitation to rest in God’s intimate knowledge, trust His constant presence, celebrate His purposeful creation, and surrender to His faithful guidance. Let me invite you to take a few moments to walk through Psalm 139 together, and I pray you will find comfort and strength in our Father’s care as you are better equipped to live faithfully for Him.

A Psalm of Our Father’s Heart: Psalm 139

David’s words in Psalm 139 reveal four beautiful truths about God as our heavenly Father. Each truth not only describes who God is but also calls us to respond with trust, worship, and obedience.

As we get started though in our quest to understand it better, please make note of this very specific detail. David does not begin with a heart of gratitude. He recognizes these wonderful traits about our heavenly Father, yet he is not grateful for them. As we go through, what we find is that he shifts from simply seeing the truth about God to understanding it in God’s gracious kindness to him. Possibly as you read, you are where David was. Maybe you are reading this while struggling. If that is the case, please continue and ask God to help sensitize your heart to the wonderful truth here.

1. Our Father Knows Us Completely (Psalm 139:1-6)

“O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off” (Psalm 139:1-2).

These first few verses emphasize God’s omniscience – which refers to His all-knowing nature – and emphasizes He sees every detail of our lives. He knows our actions, thoughts, and words before they form (v. 4). In other words, God knows us; no one understands us like our Father. His knowledge is not cold or distant; it is intimate and protective. David exclaims, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it” (v. 6). As incredible as the truth is, it is hard to wrap our minds around God’s complete and intimate knowledge of us. However, this truth brings great comfort – God knows us fully, even when we feel unseen or misunderstood. It also brings accountability – He sees our hearts, struggles, and joys. Our Father’s knowledge is a gift that grounds us in His love.

2. Our Father Is Always with Us (Psalm 139:7-12)

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there” (Psalm 139:7-8).

God’s omnipresence – which refers to His being everywhere – ensures we are never alone. David uses vivid imagery – heaven for up high, Sheol for down low, the wings of the dawn for the east, the farthest sea for the west – to emphasize that no place is beyond God’s reach (vv. 8-9). Even in the darkest part of the night (or by inference in life’s darkest moments), “the night shines as the day” (v. 12). No matter where you are or what time it is, God is with you. Let me emphasize that one more time… No matter where you are or what time it is, God is with you. In life it is easy for any of us to occasionally wrestle with fear, loneliness, or uncertainty, yet our Father’s presence is a constant source of strength. Whether you are guiding your family, facing trials, or navigating daily life, God is near. His presence protects and sustains us, no matter the circumstances.

3. Our Father Created Us with Purpose (Psalm 139:13-18)

“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13-14).

The psalmist emphasizes God’s omnipotence – which refers to His being all-powerful – as it shines in His creative power. David portrays God as a master artisan, weaving each person together in the womb with care and intention. From the moment of conception, God is at work, shaping us for His purposes. At conception, God has every day ahead of you written in His book. David writes, “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them” (v. 16). God does not simply know you and is not simply with you, He also cares for you. He protects you and, in His providential power, keeps you for the days ordained for you. As such, we each need to embrace our God-given design, even in our weaknesses. God delights in His creation, and His thoughts toward us are “more in number than the sand” (v. 18). This truth calls us to worship and trust His purposeful plan.

4. Our Father Protects and Guides the Faithful (Psalm 139:19-24)

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

David responds to God’s character – His intimate knowledge, constant presence, and caring power – with a plea for protection and guidance. He asks God to guard him from the wicked (vv. 19-20) and to search his heart for anything that dishonors Him. David models humility for us—inviting God to examine our motives and lead us in righteousness. Our Father protects those who remain loyal to Him, guiding us to live in a way that reflects His love and builds a godly legacy. Notice how this surrender is not passive; it is an active trust in God’s faithful care.

Living in Light of Our Father’s Care

Friends, the big idea of Psalm 139 is this: We have a wonderful Father who knows us, stays with us, creates us with purpose, and protects us. Isn’t that incredible? Therefore, how to we apply these truths to our daily walk with God, whether you are leading a family, mentoring others, or seeking to grow in faith. Here are five ways to live in light of our Father’s care:

Rest in His Intimate Knowledge

God’s all-knowing nature offers great comfort and accountability. He knows your joys, sorrows, sins, and struggles. He also knows those you love just as deeply. So, trust His understanding heart. You might as well be very transparent with God in your prayers by confessing sin, sharing your burdens, and bringing everything to God in prayer. He already knows your situation and your struggles in them. Go ahead and acknowledge it in your conversation with Him. Think your thoughts, express your emotions, and live out your daily life with God. Let His knowledge of you be a source of peace, anchoring you in His love.

Find Strength in His Constant Presence

God is with you every moment, and He is with those you care about too. God uses this fact to comfort many people in the Bible. Usually it sounds something like this, “Do not be afraid or anxious, because I am with you.” No one –including you, your loved ones, your friends, or your enemies – is beyond His reach. Lean on His strength in challenges, and teach others to trust His nearness. His presence dispels fear and fosters great hope. As you go throughout your day, pause regularly to thank God for His unwavering presence, and share this truth with those around you.

Celebrate His Purposeful Creation

God wove you and those you love with intention. He is your “Weaver” or Creator. In every instance of conception, there is no greater artisan! Because of this, He knows your weaknesses yet delights in you. So, we need to trust His design for your life and the lives of others. Every day is written in His book (v. 16). As a trustworthy friend, I strongly urge you to affirm the value of God’s creation in yourself and others, while celebrating His purposeful plan for you.

Surrender to His Guidance for a Godly Legacy

As David, ask God for protection and guidance. Because of what you know about God from this psalm, you can trust His work in your life and the lives of those you influence. Of course each one of us needs to prioritize our responsibilities – loving, leading, and teaching – while entrusting outcomes to Him. Ask God for His help to live faithfully, while striving to leave a legacy that honors God and points others to Him. Seek God’s wisdom in His Word as you go about intentionally striving to live for Him.

Live as His Child – Questions for Encouragement

How have you responded to Jesus, who ultimately reveals the Father’s love in the flesh? Are you aware of your Father’s care? Do you trust Him fully? We each need to be challenged to live out this trust, showing others what it means to follow our perfect Father. Your life and mine are a testimony to His goodness.

A Final Encouragement

Psalm 139 is a gift, revealing a Father who knows us, stays with us, creates us with purpose, and guides us faithfully. My prayer is that you will rest in His care, trust His plan, and reflect His love to those around you. Whether you are leading a family, mentoring others, or walking through trials, live as a child of the perfect Father, trusting His character along the way.

Will you take a moment today to thank God for His intimate care? As David, surrender your heart to Him, and ask Him to lead you. How will you trust your Father?

---

Here are some encouraging thoughts from Dr Howard Eyrich and Joe Propri on Psalm 139: An Encouraging Reminder about this Day