The Comfort of Being Hemmed In

You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. - Psalm 139:5

I love small jewel box type rooms. The ones Victorian houses are famous for. Every room is it’s own sequestered nook. No modern day open floor plan where all the family activities are done in the same big open space.

The Victorians made lovely draped in rooms. Specific rooms for specific activities. The library for reading, the morning room for the lady of the house to plan her day and take care of correspondences, the dining room, the parlor to entertain family and guest.

When I read the words of this Psalm I imagine a tucked away corner with cushions and blankets and maybe a pile of books and a steaming cup of tea. I think of comfort. I think of warmth. Being surrounded by all that signifies protection and rest even when a storm is raging outside the window or pain is wreaking havoc on my body.

I am hemmed in. Before I speak You already know the answer. When I walk outside and when I return, You know where I have been and why I am back. My thoughts You know and yet You still love me.

God’s infinite knowledge comes about by His love for each individual that He has created. His knowledge is not some sort of linear power that makes sense. It doesn’t make sense. It isn’t logical human love. There is no formula to reach God’s love. It’s never do this and do that and it equals God doing this…

David couldn’t understand either and he admits it right to God. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. ( Psalm 139:6) Maybe I don’t need all the knowledge. Maybe I just need the knowledge God deems necessary for me right here, right now in this season of my life.

“David relates his confidence that God “hems him in.” This idea comes from the Hebrew word tsuwr, which is often used of a military siege or fortification. A closely-related term is used in reference to ideas such as rocks or strength. In this context, it’s meant to suggest guarding a valuable object. This statement attests to the Lord’s protection of His people.”(1)

We are the valued and we are protected. When you read those words, that God hems you in, maybe you don’t imagine the Victorian jewel box room. Whatever you imagine it looks like for God to hem you in, know this, He knows you because He created you. He already loves you. There is nothing left for you to do.

(1) bibleref.com