Digging Deeper Days
Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
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The Questions
1) Why would God create me with so many imperfections?
2) What does it mean that God “knit me together in my mother’s womb?”
3) What are some of God’s “wondrous” works?
Psalm 139:13-14
For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.
Original Intent
1) Why would God create me with so many imperfections?
David praises the Lord in Psalm 139:14 because he has been “remarkably and wondrously made.” Many other verses declare we were handcrafted by God. (Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 100:3, Psalm 119:73, Job 31:15, Deuteronomy 32:6, Psalm 138:8) Genesis 1:26 proclaims man was made in the image of God and Ephesians 2:10 declares we are God’s workmanship. But if we are all made in God’s image, why are we flawed? Why isn’t everyone beautiful, healthy, and whole? Moses complains about this when God asks him to be His spokesperson. In Exodus 4:3-9, the Lord provided two miraculous signs convincing Moses the Israelites and their captors would listen to Moses when he would demand the Israelites’ freedom. Still, Moses hesitates saying, “I have never been eloquent—either in the past or recently or since you have been speaking to your servant—because my mouth and my tongue are sluggish.” (Exodus 4:10) God answers Moses, “Who placed a mouth on humans? Who makes a person mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say.” (Exodus 4:11) As John Piper explains, “God is the Creator. He made man’s mouth, and God’s providence rules over all things. . . God always has a purpose for every event, whether we can see it or not.” God made us in a way He says is remarkable and wonderful, even if it doesn’t match our definition. God knew Moses saw imperfections in himself, but still God called Him to speak for Him. What we see as imperfections are not a hindrance to God. Where we see flaws and disabilities, God sees opportunities to bring Him glory. He is available to help us and teach us in every situation He places us in, regardless of how inadequate or imperfect we are.
2) What does it mean that God “knit me together in my mother’s womb?”
In Psalm139:13, David contemplates how God created “my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” According to author Albert Barnes , “the literal translation would be, “Thou hast “woven” me in my mother’s womb, meaning that God had put his parts together, as one who weaves cloth, or who makes a basket.” He further explains how “The original word also carried the idea of protecting, as in a booth or hut, woven or knit together – to wit, of boughs and branches.” Pastor R.C. Sproul asserts this verse is “showing that the Lord’s presence is close and intimate—so close, in fact, that God was there in the womb of David’s mother knitting him together. The image pictures the Lord as attending to the details, just as a knitter has to pay close attention in order to knit a blanket and not produce a tangled mess.” This verse lets us know God is our intimate Maker. Not only can we never be outside of God’s presence (Psalm 139:7), but He was there, putting us together in our mother’s womb, before we were even born.
3) What are some of God’s “wondrous” works?
When describing the “wondrous works” mentioned in Psalm 139:13, the Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes, “The verb rendered “wondrously made” probably means here “selected” or “distinguished,” and represents man as the [masterpiece].” Humans, with their intricate body systems and astonishing complexity, are one of the most amazing works of God. Psalm 78:4 also mentions some of God’s “wondrous works,” which are described later in Psalm 78:13-16 as the miracles God performed in leading the Israelites out of Egypt. God’s creation is also part of His “wondrous works”. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.” The miracles of God and the glorious natural world He created, including making wonderfully complex humans, are among His many wonders. With the psalmist I say, “For you have made me rejoice, Lord, by what you have done; I will shout for joy because of the works of your hands!” (Psalm 92:4)
Everyday Application
1) Why would God create me with so many imperfections?
I knew someone who, while staying with friends of friends, was shown into a lovely guest room, complete with a canopy bed covered in a pristine white duvet and heaped with beautiful, lacy pillows. My friend loved the room, but spent the night sleeping on the floor because she was convinced such a gorgeous bed could not be meant for her. The story broke my heart when I heard it, because she doubted the host’s gracious intentions, despite the generosity displayed. This belief that we are not good enough runs rampant through our culture. Author Jo Saxton uses the verse Psalm 139:14 (“I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.”) to help women exchange the truth of God’s Word for the lies of the enemy. She encourages women to “acknowledge that your body, your personality, your talents, all of you is fearfully and wonderfully made. His words have the power to level and liberate you, a Spirit-filled sword to cut through the most resistant of chains. I think they can help you see into the mirror differently. His words help you discover who you fully are. His words speak a truth that will set you free.” It might be helpful to tape this verse to your mirror so you see the liberating truth of God’s Word every morning when you wake up and each night before you go to bed. Contemplate daily on the fact that you are a wondrous work of God! Your imperfect flaws are merely opportunities for God’s glory to be wonderfully revealed through you!
2) What does it mean that God “knit me together in my mother’s womb?”
I was born back before sonograms and birthing plans and fathers in the delivery room. These were the days before push presents and gender reveals, when the doctor came out to the waiting room to tell my anxious family, “It’s a girl!” By the time I had my first child in 2001, technology had progressed. I remember pouring over the book A Child is Born by Lennart Nilsson, marveling at the pictures of pre-natal development. I signed up for weekly emails telling me “this week your baby is the size of a plum!” The first time I felt the baby kick, I was overwhelmed with amazement! (When he wouldn’t move his foot out of my rib for the last 4 weeks, I was overwhelmed in a different way!) The development of the baby from conception to birth is an amazing testament to God’s intricate, creative plan. The Bible says He “created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13) To think He makes each person, especially designed by His loving hand, is almost unfathomable. Pastor Tony Evans writes, “God doesn’t produce ‘off the shelf’ people. Each person has been custom designed by His loving, sovereign hand. The fact that each person’s finger prints are completely unique proves that God doesn’t mass produce people. Let’s start living with an awareness God has a perfect plan for each person He has uniquely crafted.” I love this encouragement to live fully aware of God’s great plan for our lives. He uniquely constructed each of us to uniquely carry out His purposes. I want to recognize His great design in others and myself as I seek to glorify His name while carrying out His plans!
3) What are some of God’s “wondrous” works?
Whenever I visit the mountains or the ocean, I ask myself, “Why don’t I live here?”. There is something about the combination of sights, smells, and sounds at these locations that makes me feel joyful and peaceful. But really, if I stop and think about it, the startling beauty of natural things is all around me, no matter where I am. Breathtaking sunsets, vivid autumn leaves, icicles glistening in the sun, there is a never-ending list of glorious natural wonders everywhere I go. Writer W. F. Adeney notes that “God’s works are ‘wondrous.’ They are stamped with the impress of thought. The most advanced science is but man’s blundering attempt to spell out God’s hieroglyphics written in the great book of nature.” God also surrounds me with wondrous miracles big and small in my everyday life. Just the way the human body is wired to work is a remarkable daily miracle (Psalm 139:14), and every day I enjoy the miracle of a risen Savior who died to give me life (Romans 10:9) are only two examples of His incredible, loving work! God’s “wondrous works” (Psalm 139:14) are all around me, and I know very well how good they are! Together, let’s determine to praise Him for these gifts of grace and love!
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1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
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3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
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Why Dig Deeper?
Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.
In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!
Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.
Study Tools
We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.
Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!
Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))
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