Psalm 139:5-6 English Standard Version
5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
There are three things in motion here. Faith in motion is an active spiritual event. We do not always see the how and the why of it, even after the event. That is the third part, withholding knowledge of just how all of it plays out in God’s will.
The first part is the appointment. It is not like a doctor’s appointment where everything is on our calendar, time, place, purpose and parties involved. It is God getting us to that appointment without us making any conscious effort. It is not unlike the hedge of protection but serves a different purpose.
The second part is the laying on of His hands. The purpose behind the laying on of the hand of God can take on different aspects of God’s will. It might be the transfer of blessing, healing, comfort, or the personal awareness of God’s presence. It is not about us because God would not have to hem us in in order to touch us. He can reach us anywhere.
Now why is it that God should withhold the knowledge of this appointment? The answer to that is as varied as the individuals we are in life. For some that knowledge would give opportunity to make the moment about us, and upon touching that moment with human hands we have defiled it. That lesson can be learned in the tale of Uzziah’s death when an ox stumbled and he reached out to prevent the Ark from falling. God does not need our help to perform His will and yet we seem to think He does.
1 Peter 4:10-11 English Standard Version (ESV) As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.