Psalm 139:1-6 
O LORD, you have examined my heart 
and know everything about me. 
You know when I sit down or stand up. 
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 
You see me when I travel 
and when I rest at home. 
You know everything I do. 
You know what I am going to say 
even before I say it, LORD. 
You go before me and follow me. 
You place your hand of blessing on my head. 
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, 
too great for me to understand! (NLT)

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Earlier this week, I traveled by air a couple of hours east. Today, my bride and I will travel a couple of hours west to celebrate a special birthday. I enjoy travel, for the most part. Going places, seeing things, and enjoying new experiences enrich life. It also reminds me how much I love sleeping in my own bed. The best part of travel is coming home.

Some good news is the reality of God’s nature. He is not confined to a particular location. He doesn’t stay put in a place where we must spend significant sums of money and time to visit on pilgrimage. 

God knows all about us and loves us anyway, as someone somewhat snarkily opined. God knows all about us when we travel east and when we travel west. He knows all about us when we travel internationally and when we reside at home. 

God knows us, loves us, and directs us toward his goodness and grace. He seeks our highest good in all things. Life at its best is lived in solidarity with his plans and purpose. What he wants for us is better than anything we could otherwise desire. 

Verse 5 is comforting. It amplifies the truth of God’s interest in us.

“You go before me and follow me. 
You place your hand of blessing on my head.”

East, West, or around the world, God goes before us to prepare the way. He goes behind us to protect and defend us. He keeps his mighty hand upon us. How good is that?

Today is an adventure. We will go places and do things. We will meet God going and returning. We will experience him all along the way. We will live in the light of his love. We will enjoy the goodness he makes possible. We will return home with new understanding, lifetime memories, and eternal joy.

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I will go with God.

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Our Father, thank you for this psalm. It has encouraged so many people across the ages. It is fresh and meaningful today. I will look for you all along the way today. Thank you for how we get to live at the impulse of your love, and under the light of your smile. Amen.