Lord, you are near,
so very near...
You search my heart,
inside and out.
You know me better,
more intimately,
than I know myself.
You know my strengths and my weaknesses,
my truth and my lies,
my reality and fantasy,
my virtues and my sins.
Nothing escapes your soul-piercing gaze.
And yes, there are times
when I'd gladly flee your scrutiny,
but then, Lord,
where would I go?
No matter now high, how low,
how far away I might retreat,
there's no eluding your presence,
your reach,
your grasp.
Wherever I go, you are there:
before me,
by my side and behind me,
above and below me.
I fool only myself
when I pretend in the shadows
to hide my own darkness.
In your eyes, Lord,
the night shines as the day,
forever.
Again and again I learn the folly
of running away from you who are there,
everywhere I turn:
all around me
and dwelling deep within me.
I have no reason to fear your pursuit.
Your surveillance is your vigil,
keeping careful watch
over every step I take:
your gentle hand to guide me
and your strong arm to hold me fast
when danger's near and I might fall.
You are so near, Lord,
so very near...
You search my heart and soul,
you know me oh-so-well!
With thanks and praise
I yield to you
and find my peace
beneath your watchful eye,
within your firm embrace.
Amen.
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I occasionally write for the daily prayer book: Give Us This Day.
My reflection on Psalm 139 (above) appears in the August 2015 edition.
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