I recently read Psalm 139. Most people recognize the first few verses and the last few verses and a few in between. But I like verse 8 which says “If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.”  This verse may be a verse you have skimmed over on your way to more familiar verses like verses 13, 14, 23 and 24. But I always stop at verse 8 because I find a lot of comfort there. Please pardon my paraphrasing and my loose interpretation as I share what this verse means to me. Each of us, I am sure, have had those times where we feel we have pleased God, seen Him do something miraculous or had a wonderful mountain top experience where we thought we ascended to heaven. I would guess we also have failed miserably at some point, where we have made our bed in Sheol. Have you heard, been told or said to anyone, “Well, you have made your bed now lay in it”? Do you know God does not leave us alone even when we “make our own bed”?  We make a mess but He is there! It is possible that some of us have never “made our bed” in a bad place or messed up so terribly as to compare it to being in Sheol. But we know children, grandchildren and others who have. Maybe they still are in the bed of their own making.         

         Take heart in knowing that God meets those who have messed up right where they are! To Him darkness and light are the same. His hand is still leading and holding. He knows each one intimately even before birth. Nothing is hidden from His eyes. So where can we go from His presence? NO WHERE. Today He meets you where you are. Praise Him if you have a clean heart and pure hands. Repent if you have made a mess…Don’t just lie there!
Kathy Withers

 Kathy’s on staff at America’s KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 27 years.  They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and has taught Sunday School and Bible Studies for women. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.