“Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
–Psalm 139:16 NIV
Before you write a note, decorate, put the recipe together, or otherwise complete an activity, your mind is at work shaping. Fashioning. Forming. Determining your next steps and how to fit things together.
Even if briefly, thought always comes first. Even thoughtless words or hastily finished projects require a small bit of forethought. That’s the way creating works, regardless of what we are creating.
When God made us, we also started as a thought. Before we were made physically, He knew us. But God is never hasty, hurried, or careless. Our Lord is purposeful.
God has shaped each of our lives carefully. The word “ordained” in the Psalm 139:16 is also translated “formed” and “fashioned.” To have our days ordained is to have them planned out for us with intention. Shaped for a purpose.
Take in that verse, with the word expanded, again:
“All the days you formed for a purpose for me were written in your book before one came to be.”
We know that the Lord is beyond time. We know that He has plans for us. We even know that He knows what lies ahead.
All of that is comforting; but, add this: those plans and that future are intentional.
Our days are not just foreseen by God,
but fashioned by His foresight.
The Lord works all things together for the good of those who love them- and this process began before any of these “things” for “those” people came to be. He is never surprised, and never unprepared. Though our lives all look so different, and, as Kristine points out in her earlier post, those differences are a part of the uniqueness of His well-thought out and perfectly executed plan.
When life sneaks up on you or catches you off guard and you wonder how He can make it all work out- remember, He already has a way. He is the Way. And that- even that- is purposeful and purposed by the Lord.
Let’s count these lovingly, precisely hand-crafted days as blessings.
This post is being shared on:
#WomenWithIntention, #TellHiStory, #Thought-Provoking Thursday, #DanceWithJesus, #LLMLinkup and #LifeGivingLinkup.
So much great encouragement here, Bethany. How different our lives would be if we would always remember these 2 simple, yet incredibly important sentences: “He already has a way. He is the Way.” It’s hard to understand His purpose sometimes but He always has one. Thank you for this reminder!
Amen, Candace! I think we’re often so busy looking for the “right way” that we forget to look at the right one who is the way!! : ) At least I do. Praising Him with you!
I was wondering what word you would focus on this week! Such a good and thoughtful focus for my heart. Yes, all that comes to me has been filtered through God’s sovereign love.
So glad you stopped in to find out, Michele! This verse- and the meaning of that word- so give me peace!!
Such a comfort to know that our Lord is purposeful. He is in control and has our best in mind!
Love, love, love this, Bethany! Psalm 139:16 is one of my favorite verses … it was such a comfort when we were waiting to adopt our daughters. I love the thought that God “plans out our days with intention.” It reminds me of my favorite line from “In Christ Alone” … “From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.” 🙂
I love that Hymn, Lois! One of my favorites and there’s just no way to not boom that line out, singing it loud. Amen!!
I’ve been walking through similar thoughts….glad to know I’m not alone in the journey. Great article!
He already has a way. I love that! Beautiful words and encouragment here to live in sync with His plan. Thank you for sharing!
Thank-you for sharing this beautiful reminder!
I love this wonderful reminder of how God loved us and created us in such purposeful ways. Thanks for sharing on the #LMMLinkup this week.