We often talk about the presence of God, but how do we live in it? Brother Lawrence once said, “The most holy and necessary practice in our spiritual life is the presence of God... finding constant pleasure in His divine company, speaking humbly and lovingly with Him in all seasons, at every moment.” This is the heart of true worship – not merely learning about God but learning to walk with Him as well. Psalm 139 shows us two ways to do that: rejoice in who God is and request His help to live fully for Him.

Rejoice: God Knows You, Loves You, and Is Always With You

In Psalm 139, David rejoices in three powerful truths. The first truth is, “God knows me” (v.1-4). God knows our every thought, every motive, and every word. He knows even the ones we don’t understand ourselves, and yet He still loves us. The second truth is “God is with me” (v.5-12). Wherever we go, even in our darkest moments, God is there to hold us steady. His presence is not something for us to fear, but to treasure. The last truth David rejoices in is this: “God made me” (v13-16). No one is an accident. God formed each person on this earth with purpose and care. Even before we were born, our life was already written in God’s book.  

Overwhelmed by these truths, David stops and says, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me” (Psalm 139:6). David’s response was worship – responding with awe and joy to who God is and how much He cares for us.  

Request: Ask God to Protect and Lead You

David ends his psalm with two powerful prayers. First, he asks the Lord to protect him, not just from people, but from the real enemy of our souls (Ephesians 6:12). David recognized that we need God’s shield every day. The second thing David asked was, “Lord, search and lead me.” He invited God to look deep into his heart, to expose anything false, and to lead him into living a life that honors God.  

At the end of the day, living in God’s presence is not about perfection. It is about our connection to Him. If we want to live in God’s presence, we ought to rejoice in who He is and request His help to walk with Him daily. That is the beginning of true worship.