I Know When You Sit Down and When You Rise Up
March 6
Psalm 139:2 “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.”
I have been a teacher for 29 years. During those many years, I have had the privilege of teaching hundreds of students. Each year there is a new group of students I get to know and teach. Each year these new students have 180 days to learn more about me. Having several years of experience in the classroom and working with many students, I have developed the “eyes-in-the-back-of-my-head” superpower. It doesn’t take very long into the school year and a student will ask me how I knew or saw something when my back was to them.
Students are generally amazed that I can tell if they’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing even though I’m not looking at them. Many students wonder how I can say their names and ask them to sit down when my focus is on another student I am working with at the time. Or, as I’m writing on the board, I will say a student’s name and tell them to get out their book or pencil or write on their paper what I’m writing on the board. I admit my chest puffs up just a bit and my head swells ever so slightly when they then ask “How do you know?” Some students tend to always raise their hands before I’m done giving directions or explaining something. I always ask them to put their hand down until I’m done explaining because I will probably answer their question in my directions. Often, students no longer have a question at the end of the explanation because I did explain what they were wondering.
In the verse today, David understands - and is amazed - at God’s intimate knowledge of him. God knows everything about David. Every detail and every thought - even before David is aware. God’s care and concern for David is great and immeasurable. Nothing escapes God’s knowledge of David - not even things as common and mundane as standing and sitting. Of course, there are things my students do that I don’t notice. I can’t possibly see everything or “catch” everything they do or don’t do. However, I am loved by a God who has intimate knowledge of me and is concerned about seemingly inconsequential things like my rising and sitting. I am loved by a God who knows all my thoughts and desires good for me. I never escape the watchful and caring eyes of my loving Father. What comfort and peace knowing He watches over me every moment of every day. Along with the Psalmist I can say, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”