Devotional based on Psalm 139

In the 1950s, a lot of us were sent to Sunday school at 3pm. Our parents had a rest! I remember I loved the singing and the meringues and pansies that Mrs. Wills used to give the children most weeks. I entered the Methodist scripture exams and was given the latest translation of the bible, the New English Bible as a prize.

I remember a lot of grown-up concerns about nuclear weapons and ban the bomb marches. I think that started my child-like mind thinking why are we all here? What is the purpose of this world and this life? I’m sure most of us have had similar thoughts during our lives.

My story is that I had grown up knowing that I was a sort of ‘happy mistake’ in my parents’ eyes. My older brother was 18 years old and my older sister 13 years old when I was born. When aged about 9, I asked my Mum why was there such a big gap between me and my siblings? She said, ‘Oh you were a mistake’. Mum didn’t mean any harm by saying that, but it had quite a negative effect on me.

I became a Christian when I was 17 years old and I really started reading the bible for myself, not for prizes!  The day I read these verses in Psalm 139 blew my mind:

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; My soul knows it very well.

  My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

When I read,’ You knitted me together in my mother’s womb’ It was like a bomb going off in my mind. My parents may not have wanted a third child, but God did!  He made me, wanted me and loved me.

Some of us may have been an illegitimate child (my Mum was). Some of us may have been brought up in care homes or adopted, some might not even know who parents are were/are or suffered abuse. This can all leave us feeling very insecure and unloved.

The bible tells us that he formed our inward parts, we were knitted together in our mothers’ wombs. Our frames were not hidden from him when we were being made in secret.

God made us and wants us to play a part in this beautiful mixed-up world. He has a purpose for our lives. He formed us, he chose us. Whatever you age, even if you are a pensioner, God still has a part for you to play.

 I remember singing:

‘Jesus loves me, this I know, for the bible tells me so,

Little ones to him belong, they are weak, but he is strong!

Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!

The bible tells me so.’

That song, though simple, speaks the truth that Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He died to wash away our sins and set us free. He truly loves you and me. The bible tells us so.