Title: Behind the Masks
Text: Psalm 139
October 28-29, 2006
Begins with sketch. How much time and thought do you give to wishing you were something besides the person that you are? I have often wished I was more outgoing. I have often wished I was smarter. Stronger. Faster. Better looking. How about wishing for a different career within which we have tied our identity? And although with maturity we may grow to accept ourselves more and more, society continues to put tremendous pressure on you and on me, to be something, or someone, besides ourselves.
Tuesday night is Halloween. In our culture Halloween has become a night were we like to put on costumes and masks – posing as something or someone different than ourselves.
But when the costumes are put away and the masks are taken off, many of us continue to wear masks – masks of happiness. Masks of strength. Masks of confidence. Masks of indifference. Masks of piety covering up a lifeless spirituality. I think if we were honest with ourselves we all might recognize that we are somewhat defensive and at some level we are afraid to truly let ourselves be known to others. Often we carry this into our relationship with God and we end up being afraid of being honest with Him about how we feel and about the struggles that we face.
We come to church, wearing a smiling mask that hides the hidden realities of our hearts. We wear it to worship hoping it will become us. But when we leave we take it off and life seems much the same.
Psalm 139 is one of the most beautiful pieces of poetry in all of Scripture. In this amazing passage David, the writer of the Psalm, comes to God with absolute openness and honesty. In this Psalm he is completely exposed – when it comes to his heart and his life. This Psalm is a part of the Bible because God wants it to become our expression. He wants it to become our prayer -- as a mirror, expressing words and thoughts to God that are truly our own. These are words that you can identify with. Words that you can believe in. Words that you can personalize and make your own. We often see God and see ourselves through cloudy lenses. This Psalm cleans the glass and gives us a clear glimpse of the real God, and the real you. I use the term “real God” because there are false impressions of God that fill our culture. The false impressions of God are distortions of His goodness. Psalm 139 gives us a look at the Real God, and the Real You.
I. The Real God knows Me (vss. 1-6)
The real God knows the real you. He knows when we are passive and when we are active. He knows our thoughts. He literally searches out our path – even before us. He is familiar with us at a deep level – not just superficially, but closely, intensely, profoundly. Because He knows our thoughts – our minds and our hearts – He also knows our words even before we speak them.
According to this passage He is “laying siege” before you and behind you. This vivid language based on the Hebrew speaks of clearing a path and cleaning up the past.
He has laid His divine hand upon you. He knows where I am going, what I have been thinking and where I’ve been.
His knowledge is too much to imagine. God’s knowledge of us is called omniscience – He knows all things, including the deepest things of your heart– it is a profound and personal mystery that when grasped, leaves a person in awe. – God knows you! The familiarity that God has with us is complete.
Therefore I
I don’t have to be ashamed
You may feel ashamed over your behavior, but sin simply is legitimate needs being fulfilled through illegitimate means. The root issue of your behavior is what He looks at. Are you lonely? Longing for intimacy? Needing forgiveness? He sees the deepest point of need within our lives.
II. The Real God is with me (vss. 7-12)
There is no hiding from God. He is with you, whether you like it or not. He is inescapable. He is omnipresent. You could go to heaven or try to distance yourself from His presence, but you will fail. Even if you try to escape Him, His right hand will seize you. David thought He could hide in darkness – hide His sins, but even then the light just burst in and left him exposed. Omnipresence is good news. I had the opportunity to be thankful for this attribute of God this past summer when I went on a 75 mile hike…Each day I had to complete approximate 25 miles. On day one…I got a late start and missed an important turn that cost me some time. The sun began to set and darkness crept in. Somewhere in the dark I knew there were beautiful surroundings that I could not see – All I had to go with was a small light that illuminated a very small area. While moving as quick as I could move an image kept coming to my mind. It was a photo that I had seen on the internet of a cougar stalking a deer in the dark. (show slide). Needless to say, I made really good time for a few miles).
But with God, the night is like day.
Think about the darkness that David had plunged into – sin. Disappointment. Betrayal. Hardship. And he makes these statements - He is with you when everything seems dark, and He is with you when all is well. It takes maturity to keep walking with Him when things seem dark.
Today, right now, the Real God is with you! – will you tell your neighbor this?
Therefore…
· I am never alone
· I am never in the dark (in the truest sense of the word)
· I am always secure
III. The Real God’s creative expression is you (vss. 13-16)
In the medieval guild system, an aspiring craftsman first became an apprentice, sweeping the floors and learning at the feet of the master. After some years he graduated to the status of journeyman, entitled to earn wages and, on his own time, create a piece of his finest work, something good enough to prove to the elders of his guild that he was ready to assume the title of master of his craft. His masterpiece.
Yes, He is all knowing. Yes, He is all powerful. And on top of that, He is creative. You are a marvelous expression of His power and knowledge. We learn this from the creation account in Genesis, where after forming humankind, God said it was very good. You are an expression as His masterpiece – a living expression of the creativity of God.
There is tremendous pressure to change our looks. To criticize the work of God. – Heidi recently turned to me in the car and said, “Oh well, I don’t have to look perfect all the time.” I wasn’t sure how to respond. Was it a trap? Anyway, it illustrates this pressure that we all feel.
This is not merely a passage on the sanctity of life, although it is that.
Life is a profound mystery. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. God was at work in engineering your genetic code. He was knitting you together. He put together a beautiful pattern. And He has had you appear at the right time in history. You might ask, why here? Why now? He is responsible for your appearance.
The real God’s creative expression is you!
Therefore…
I will recognize this in myself (stop dissing myself)
I will recognize this in others (the person next to you is a masterpiece of God)
I will teach this to my children and my spouse (those closest to me) (don’t insult His handiwork)
IV. The Real God inspires awe (vss. 17-18)
Just these thoughts alone – seeing His knowledge, recognizing His presence, embracing His creative license – these are cause for praise and countless thoughts of joy. If you have a hard time falling asleep at night – read this Psalm and try to count the good thoughts of God. Fall asleep, and when you wake up He will still be with you, and you will be with Him. This is an awesome experience. Recognizing the real God evokes awe.
Therefore I will fill my mind with thoughts of Him. Therefore I will stand in awe of Him.
V. Recognizing the Real God allows for honesty (vss. 19-22)
In Vss. 19-22 the tone of the passage changes radically. These verses are a bit of a mystery for some, but I actually like these verses. Here David is totally honest about what he is thinking and feeling. He recognizes that his enemies despise his God, and he launches into this tirade about it. Some scholars have said that this is confusing.
Others have said that God hated these people so it makes sense.
I on the other hand, say that recognizing that God knows you inside and out allows you to be honest. David didn’t couch his words in political correctness. This passage gives me permission to be honest. David had his enemies. And he wrote this when he was in trouble. How do I know this? Because David was always in trouble. Are you angry? Tell Him. Are you afraid? Tell Him. Is your life a mess? Tell Him. Do you wish He would take care of some of your enemies? Talk to Him about it. It is safe to be honest with the One that knows you. It takes character to be honest with God.
I will be honest with God
I will be honest with my emotions
I will be honest in prayer
VI. The Real God wants the real you, so respond (vss. 23-24)
This is where the good news comes together! Now the direction of the Psalm changes. Instead of talking to God, David now asks God for some things. He turns inward – Recognizing the real God before whom he is completely exposed, he now prays this prayer:
Search me – open the closets.
Know my heart – I’m giving you all of it.
Test me.
Know what stresses me out.
Change me.
Lead me.
What a great prayer! It is an invitation for transformation. We are far from perfect so we will always need to be exposing ourselves to God. It’s not about getting a new mask – It’s about being changed from the inside out.
God is approachable because of who He is.
Will you expose of your heart to Him, with honesty, sincerity and trust? Let Him do His best work in you.
Would the real you step forth?
There is something powerful and transforming about simply being yourself, standing honestly and openly before God.
Richard Foster wrote this: “The contrast between God’s way of doing things and our way is never more acute than in this area of human change and transformation. We focus on specific actions; God focuses on us. We work from the outside in; God works from the inside out. We try; God transforms.”
God’s way involves this: Taking off the masks (e.g.) – Admitting to God that I have been hiding things from Him – things about myself that I have held onto and don’t want.
It’s deciding to share my emotions more – Be a person who cares, who feeds, who has needs. Risk vulnerability with God.
I will be honest with Him. I accept that fact that the real God wants the real me.
Psalm 139 was written to be sung. Conclude with Tim Oas’ song: “Before”
Text: Psalm 139
October 28-29, 2006
Begins with sketch. How much time and thought do you give to wishing you were something besides the person that you are? I have often wished I was more outgoing. I have often wished I was smarter. Stronger. Faster. Better looking. How about wishing for a different career within which we have tied our identity? And although with maturity we may grow to accept ourselves more and more, society continues to put tremendous pressure on you and on me, to be something, or someone, besides ourselves.
Tuesday night is Halloween. In our culture Halloween has become a night were we like to put on costumes and masks – posing as something or someone different than ourselves.
But when the costumes are put away and the masks are taken off, many of us continue to wear masks – masks of happiness. Masks of strength. Masks of confidence. Masks of indifference. Masks of piety covering up a lifeless spirituality. I think if we were honest with ourselves we all might recognize that we are somewhat defensive and at some level we are afraid to truly let ourselves be known to others. Often we carry this into our relationship with God and we end up being afraid of being honest with Him about how we feel and about the struggles that we face.
We come to church, wearing a smiling mask that hides the hidden realities of our hearts. We wear it to worship hoping it will become us. But when we leave we take it off and life seems much the same.
Psalm 139 is one of the most beautiful pieces of poetry in all of Scripture. In this amazing passage David, the writer of the Psalm, comes to God with absolute openness and honesty. In this Psalm he is completely exposed – when it comes to his heart and his life. This Psalm is a part of the Bible because God wants it to become our expression. He wants it to become our prayer -- as a mirror, expressing words and thoughts to God that are truly our own. These are words that you can identify with. Words that you can believe in. Words that you can personalize and make your own. We often see God and see ourselves through cloudy lenses. This Psalm cleans the glass and gives us a clear glimpse of the real God, and the real you. I use the term “real God” because there are false impressions of God that fill our culture. The false impressions of God are distortions of His goodness. Psalm 139 gives us a look at the Real God, and the Real You.
I. The Real God knows Me (vss. 1-6)
The real God knows the real you. He knows when we are passive and when we are active. He knows our thoughts. He literally searches out our path – even before us. He is familiar with us at a deep level – not just superficially, but closely, intensely, profoundly. Because He knows our thoughts – our minds and our hearts – He also knows our words even before we speak them.
According to this passage He is “laying siege” before you and behind you. This vivid language based on the Hebrew speaks of clearing a path and cleaning up the past.
He has laid His divine hand upon you. He knows where I am going, what I have been thinking and where I’ve been.
His knowledge is too much to imagine. God’s knowledge of us is called omniscience – He knows all things, including the deepest things of your heart– it is a profound and personal mystery that when grasped, leaves a person in awe. – God knows you! The familiarity that God has with us is complete.
Therefore I
I don’t have to be ashamed
You may feel ashamed over your behavior, but sin simply is legitimate needs being fulfilled through illegitimate means. The root issue of your behavior is what He looks at. Are you lonely? Longing for intimacy? Needing forgiveness? He sees the deepest point of need within our lives.
II. The Real God is with me (vss. 7-12)
There is no hiding from God. He is with you, whether you like it or not. He is inescapable. He is omnipresent. You could go to heaven or try to distance yourself from His presence, but you will fail. Even if you try to escape Him, His right hand will seize you. David thought He could hide in darkness – hide His sins, but even then the light just burst in and left him exposed. Omnipresence is good news. I had the opportunity to be thankful for this attribute of God this past summer when I went on a 75 mile hike…Each day I had to complete approximate 25 miles. On day one…I got a late start and missed an important turn that cost me some time. The sun began to set and darkness crept in. Somewhere in the dark I knew there were beautiful surroundings that I could not see – All I had to go with was a small light that illuminated a very small area. While moving as quick as I could move an image kept coming to my mind. It was a photo that I had seen on the internet of a cougar stalking a deer in the dark. (show slide). Needless to say, I made really good time for a few miles).
But with God, the night is like day.
Think about the darkness that David had plunged into – sin. Disappointment. Betrayal. Hardship. And he makes these statements - He is with you when everything seems dark, and He is with you when all is well. It takes maturity to keep walking with Him when things seem dark.
Today, right now, the Real God is with you! – will you tell your neighbor this?
Therefore…
· I am never alone
· I am never in the dark (in the truest sense of the word)
· I am always secure
III. The Real God’s creative expression is you (vss. 13-16)
In the medieval guild system, an aspiring craftsman first became an apprentice, sweeping the floors and learning at the feet of the master. After some years he graduated to the status of journeyman, entitled to earn wages and, on his own time, create a piece of his finest work, something good enough to prove to the elders of his guild that he was ready to assume the title of master of his craft. His masterpiece.
Yes, He is all knowing. Yes, He is all powerful. And on top of that, He is creative. You are a marvelous expression of His power and knowledge. We learn this from the creation account in Genesis, where after forming humankind, God said it was very good. You are an expression as His masterpiece – a living expression of the creativity of God.
There is tremendous pressure to change our looks. To criticize the work of God. – Heidi recently turned to me in the car and said, “Oh well, I don’t have to look perfect all the time.” I wasn’t sure how to respond. Was it a trap? Anyway, it illustrates this pressure that we all feel.
This is not merely a passage on the sanctity of life, although it is that.
Life is a profound mystery. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. God was at work in engineering your genetic code. He was knitting you together. He put together a beautiful pattern. And He has had you appear at the right time in history. You might ask, why here? Why now? He is responsible for your appearance.
The real God’s creative expression is you!
Therefore…
I will recognize this in myself (stop dissing myself)
I will recognize this in others (the person next to you is a masterpiece of God)
I will teach this to my children and my spouse (those closest to me) (don’t insult His handiwork)
IV. The Real God inspires awe (vss. 17-18)
Just these thoughts alone – seeing His knowledge, recognizing His presence, embracing His creative license – these are cause for praise and countless thoughts of joy. If you have a hard time falling asleep at night – read this Psalm and try to count the good thoughts of God. Fall asleep, and when you wake up He will still be with you, and you will be with Him. This is an awesome experience. Recognizing the real God evokes awe.
Therefore I will fill my mind with thoughts of Him. Therefore I will stand in awe of Him.
V. Recognizing the Real God allows for honesty (vss. 19-22)
In Vss. 19-22 the tone of the passage changes radically. These verses are a bit of a mystery for some, but I actually like these verses. Here David is totally honest about what he is thinking and feeling. He recognizes that his enemies despise his God, and he launches into this tirade about it. Some scholars have said that this is confusing.
Others have said that God hated these people so it makes sense.
I on the other hand, say that recognizing that God knows you inside and out allows you to be honest. David didn’t couch his words in political correctness. This passage gives me permission to be honest. David had his enemies. And he wrote this when he was in trouble. How do I know this? Because David was always in trouble. Are you angry? Tell Him. Are you afraid? Tell Him. Is your life a mess? Tell Him. Do you wish He would take care of some of your enemies? Talk to Him about it. It is safe to be honest with the One that knows you. It takes character to be honest with God.
I will be honest with God
I will be honest with my emotions
I will be honest in prayer
VI. The Real God wants the real you, so respond (vss. 23-24)
This is where the good news comes together! Now the direction of the Psalm changes. Instead of talking to God, David now asks God for some things. He turns inward – Recognizing the real God before whom he is completely exposed, he now prays this prayer:
Search me – open the closets.
Know my heart – I’m giving you all of it.
Test me.
Know what stresses me out.
Change me.
Lead me.
What a great prayer! It is an invitation for transformation. We are far from perfect so we will always need to be exposing ourselves to God. It’s not about getting a new mask – It’s about being changed from the inside out.
God is approachable because of who He is.
Will you expose of your heart to Him, with honesty, sincerity and trust? Let Him do His best work in you.
Would the real you step forth?
There is something powerful and transforming about simply being yourself, standing honestly and openly before God.
Richard Foster wrote this: “The contrast between God’s way of doing things and our way is never more acute than in this area of human change and transformation. We focus on specific actions; God focuses on us. We work from the outside in; God works from the inside out. We try; God transforms.”
God’s way involves this: Taking off the masks (e.g.) – Admitting to God that I have been hiding things from Him – things about myself that I have held onto and don’t want.
It’s deciding to share my emotions more – Be a person who cares, who feeds, who has needs. Risk vulnerability with God.
I will be honest with Him. I accept that fact that the real God wants the real me.
Psalm 139 was written to be sung. Conclude with Tim Oas’ song: “Before”
5 comments:
I know this is from years ago, but I just wanted to thank you for posting it. It is exactly what I want to talk to my youth group about and you have framed it so well. You really have a gift! God bless and keep up the good work!
Thanks Greg! Glad that you found this useful. May the Lord bless you and your youth group!!
Matt,
Thank you for your blog, I googled sermons on Psalm 139 as I'm researching some stuff to give to one of my teens to think on, and your blog came up. Thanks!
I hit a brick wall when preparing for my message on confidence and taking off masks. This is exactly where i wanted to go but couldnt figure out how God wanted me to articulate it. I am going to use these points in speaking to the youth at church. Thank you for sharing. Finish the race my friend. The run is great; the reward is greater!
"The run is great; the reward is greater!" -- Well stated.
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