Hemmed In Jesus

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


  I touched on this in my last post, but the Lord had more to share on this topic. I know I'm not alone in that a common lie we hear is that past battles or pain will play some kind of determining role of our future. Sometimes we can be so devoted to trying to clean up our past and not repeating mistakes that we aren't devoted to loving God where we are at. Sometimes we can even let this lie actually become a likeness of truth. How sneaky is it that all of a sudden a lie from the enemy about your PAST is now your PRESENT idea of reality? One lie left without combat from the Word of God can cripple you from stepping into greater things and intimacy He has planned from the beginning.

  Throughout Psalm, David pleaded that the Lord would not hide His face from Him. This plea was coupled with realization that we desperately need the graciousness of God. My idea of seeing Him face to face, was always something in front of me, like on the day I come home to Him. However, in a moment of worshipping Him, He revealed that not only when I look ahead am I able to see His face, but even if I choose to look behind me for a moment, His face is there also, because He hems us in.

  Typically in sewing, hemming is a craft that finishes a piece of work. It is done in such a way to prevent unraveling. In the same way, God took His time to carefully craft you. By the blood of Jesus, He then clothed you in garments that were washed white. He doesn't just clothe the front (future) side of you, and leave the back (past) crimson until you can get your act straight. He finished the work, and He will not let you unravel.

  Remember friend, our shortcomings can't stop His glory from piercing through. We can offend His grace by looking back and only seeing regret, shame, weakness, etc., or we can see spotless blood covering us and a torn veil that allows us to meet Him face to face. Where will you focus?