1You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:1 – 12)
Please set aside the 15 minutes without distraction. If possible, find a place that you can escape to daily where it is just you and God.
Today we start our Group Bible Study. Our theme for 2018 is Our Identity. Spend some time asking God to guide you in this study and on this Journey. Consider the passage above from Psalm 139. Also consider the following definitions of identity:
- The distinguishing character or personality of an individual (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
- Who a person is, or the qualities of a person or group that make them different from others (Cambridge Dictionary)
What do you think about the following?
- We spend an entire lifetime discovering ourselves. Who are we really? Based on the passage from Psalm 139 above, why should God play the pivotal role in the development and understanding of our identity?
Sharing your thoughts could be a big help to someone else. Please leave a comment on the blog.
February 14, 2018 at 7:18 am
God is love and He loves us. Because of His love, He has blessed us with this earthly life. Because of this blessing, we have the opportunity to fulfill his purpose for us. As our Father, He has created our own, unique identity. As any parent, He guides and protects us. However, as our Heavenly Father, He wants, desires and aspires so much more for us. Because of this, we should aspire to develop the identity He wants for us through studying His word and getting to know him better. He has provided us with the perfect example through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as to how we should be identified.
February 14, 2018 at 7:22 am
From the passage we could conclude that God knows us better than we know ourselves. He has created us and he knows our every thought and action before we even do. We need to constantly have conversations with God to continually discover ourselves and we need to see and believe what his word says about us. For me it is a great privilege to be a child of God and I am continually seeking to understand what this truly means.
February 14, 2018 at 8:48 am
I am simply in awe of the Lord and His love for me. So great is His love that I cannot run or hide from it. This passge is one of comfort and rest because it highlights that no matter what I say or do (good or bad) or where I am God is ever present. It reminds me that in ALL things concerning me, He is present. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THAT. 🙂
February 14, 2018 at 2:01 pm
I agree with all comments especially Keisha’s as she sums it up for easier understanding.
February 14, 2018 at 6:38 pm
My identity is in Christ It is a privilege to be called child of God. Since I am heir of God, I should make sure I’m worthy to be called his child, and that I would do everything to glorify my Lord and creator in all my action, word and deed.
February 14, 2018 at 9:00 pm
It is mind-blowing to know someone who knows everything about you. It is frightening to know that my God Knows from the start of my life to the end.
February 14, 2018 at 10:10 pm
I am created by God for God. He is eternal, omnipresent and omniscient. My identity lies in Him and His purpose for which I was created. As I discover who He is, I will discover who I am.
February 14, 2018 at 11:15 pm
Thanks for sharing your comments! It seems so obvious that our search for our identity should lead us back to our creator but often the most obvious things are missed. No one knows us like God does!
February 15, 2018 at 3:04 pm
We are so blessed to have someone who loves us so deeply that when we step out of line he triggers something within us and brings us back to the centre without any hesitation. It is wonderful that when I am pulled up I know it is God and give thanks. Even when it sometimes hurts it is LOVE.
February 15, 2018 at 8:33 pm
When you want to know how to set up a new piece of equipment, you follow the instructions the manufacturer provided. When you want to learn all the ways to maximize its use, you read the manufacturer’s manual.
God is my Manufacturer. Alignment with His unique design of my identity is the only way to optimal living.
Lord help me to see You to know who I am and my worth.