“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Ps. 139:14). 

When anyone deeply contemplates his own personal existence, he is challenged to explain where his life and thus all life originated.  David magnifies the Lord God when he considers his life. Consider three points about humanity being fearfully and wonderfully made.

1.  Identity Even Before Birth.  David, by inspiration, reveals a basic concept of God’s knowledge about David before his birth.  He states, “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb” (Ps. 139:13).  Again, “My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Ps. 139:15-16).  Here is a marvelous declaration of the personal identity of David in the womb.  Those who would affirm that there is only tissue and not human life before birth (and even today some saying that a child immediately born is still not viable life and therefore ethically can be destroyed) stand opposed by these words of inspiration.  Notice the words “thou hast covered me” (Ps. 139:13) and “when I was made in secret” (Ps. 139:15).  While the body of David was developing in the womb (cf. Ps. 139:16), David was really existing and identifiable.

2.  Intricate Weaving of the Complicated Human Body.  David addresses the growing process in the womb of the amazing human body, where he states, “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Ps. 139:16).  Medical science today with all the studies and technological advances can truly verify the continual fashioning of a child from conception to full term.  When one thinks of cells to tissues, tissues to organs, organs to systems, systems to a cohesive, functioning being and all interconnected as woven by a master weaver more complex than anything brought about by industry or engineering, it truly can be said that one is fearfully and wonderfully made.  Just the immune system of the human body is an amazing part of human anatomy.  The world of bacteria, viruses and potential sicknesses and injuries were foreseen by God as needed for physical bodies to survive and thrive.  Learning to keep one’s body healthy in many areas is due to the proper understanding of God’s amazing work.

3.  Indescribable Knowledge of Such a Creator.  David addresses God’s knowledge and understanding with the words, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it” (Ps. 139:6).  Again, “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand” (Ps. 139:17-18).  Highly complex machines and intricate computer advances today are praised as products of human ingenuity.  Looking at the human body and its complexity argues for intelligent design on a scale far larger than man’s wisdom or pure chance.

Jimmy Clark

“Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity” (Ps. 39:4-5). 

David approaches the Lord in prayer (cf. Ps. 39:12) that he might be taught the true measure of his life.  Facing one’s mortal life is a sign of spiritual strength not weakness.  Consider three thoughts from David’s prayer concerning life in general and David’s life in particular.

1.  Pray Over One’s Words.  “I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me” (Ps. 39:1).  If one continues to read the next verses he will see that holding the tongue is not the easiest thing to do.  James writes of the tongue, “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2).  One’s spiritual life directly affects his physical life.  Out of the heart does the mouth speak (cf. Matt. 12:34).  It is no wonder that David prayed to the Lord concerning his words for he knew that such affected his life and influence.

2.  Pray Over One’s Wrongs.  “Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish” (Ps. 39:8).  Reading further to verse 11 gives the indication that David knew that he was not a sinless man.  He knew full well the effects of sin upon life and upon one’s quality of life.  Here is what the humble, penitent child of God has that the world desperately needs.  The ears of the Lord are open to the prayers of the righteous (cf. Ps. 34:15, 17-18; 1 Peter 3:12).  When the sensitive conscious of the child of God realizes his wrongs, he has access to the throne of grace (cf. Heb. 4:16) and the attention of a forgiving God (cf. 1 John 1:9).  Mortal flesh should not want to live with the uncertainties of life all around him and not have God on his side.

3.  Pray Over One’s Weakness.  “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more” (Ps. 39:12-13).  Even the faithful child of God knows that he has weaknesses and limitations.  He will admit, like David, that mortal man is not on the same level with God and as a sojourner he finds this life to be but a pilgrimage (cf. Gen. 47:9; Ps. 119:54) to an eternal destination.  How one handles every weakness says much about spiritual development or the lack thereof.  Prayer becomes an avenue of strength that cannot be replicated by any other recourse.  The prayers of David abound in the Psalms (cf. Psalm 72:20).  Various songs in the book of Psalms shows David’s desire for God’s strength (cf. Psalm 18:1; 27:1; 71:16, 18).  If man tried to handle life by his own strength, he will find that time and circumstances ultimately prove such a vain attempt.  Man cannot keep himself from the end of all men (cf. Eccl. 7:2; 8:8).  Life is identified as a “vapour” (James 4:14), as “wind” (Job 7:7) and such things of frailty and swiftness of time.  Life without prayer is life without life.                                                                                   

Jimmy Clark

“And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour” (Matt. 8:13). 

Here is the example of a man of whom Jesus said had “great faith” (Matt. 8:10).  His faith led to the miraculous healing of his servant by Jesus.  While there are no miraculous healings today (cf. 1 Cor. 13:8-10) now that the New Testament is completely revealed and confirmed, there is still something to be said about having a great faith.  Consider three things from the principle of “as you have believed, so be it unto you.”

1.  The Strength of Faith.  This centurion’s faith was like that of the faithful of old.  Paul wrote of Abraham’s faith, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform” (Rom. 4:20-21).  Jesus was looking in Israel to find such faith and stated that he had not found so great a faith in them (cf. Matt. 8:10).  Paul stated of those in his day that not all have faith (cf. 2 Thess. 3:2).  Some who have faith are weak in the faith (cf. Rom. 14:1).  Consider what Jesus said to the centurion that as he believed so it would be to him.  What would happen today of spiritual growth if it all started with faith, which indeed it does (cf. 2 Peter 1:5)?  It takes the foundation of faith to be able to add the virtues that are needed.

2.  The Source of Faith.  The centurion’s faith was not a mere religious quality but a faith tied to the Lord.  The centurion was so convinced that Jesus could provide that he simply would rely on the very spoken word of Jesus as power enough to bring about the needed result (cf. Matt. 8:8-9).  He would understand fully the passage “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).  Seeing today that the written word of God is the foundation for a strong personal faith, how much confidence is there among people that there is great power in the word?  While Biblical faith for today is toward our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Acts 20:21), such does not take place without a deep respect and close attachment to the New Testament of Jesus Christ.  Jesus said of his own words “they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).  His word will judge in the last day (cf. John 12:48).  One is proud and knows nothing if he rejects the word spoken by Jesus and the doctrine that is according to godliness (cf. 1 Tim. 6:3-4).  Where the New Testament has not gone, there are no Christians much less strong ones.

3.  The Success of Faith.  While the servant was healed due to the authority and power of Christ, there was no success of the healing according to Jesus if the centurion did not have faith.  The success would come “as thou hast believed” (Matt. 8:13).  Eternal salvation for the child of God is tied to a victorious faith (cf. 1 John 5:4, 13).  It is faith that works by love that avails (cf. Gal. 5:6).  It is the just who live by faith (cf. Rom. 1:17).  Biblical faith as a shield is successful in its result to “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Eph. 6:16).  Those who receive the crown of righteousness are to keep the faith (cf. 2 Tim. 4:7-8).  The Lord promises the eternal home of heaven to those who die in faith (cf. Heb. 11:13-16).  Therefore, let faith underpin one’s life of walking with God now and living with God when this life is over.                                                                                 

Jimmy Clark