How did He do it? ∙

How did He do it? ∙

I will give you thanks because your deeds are awesome and amazing. You knew me thoroughly. – Psalms 139:14

Psalms 139:13-18

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous– how well I know it.

15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

Have you ever looked back at something you once imagined and brought to life, only to wonder, “How did I ever do that?” Psalms 139 asks a similar question, offering a profound answer about how God intricately designed and created each of us.

When we reflect on ourselves, it’s easy to question our value or feel like we don’t measure up. For some, this self-doubt runs deep—fed by comparisons to others, unattainable ideals, or the lasting sting of negative words spoken in our past. But these judgments barely scratch the surface of who we truly are.

The truth is that our very existence is stunningly complex. Our bodies are works of art. The discovery of DNA in the 20th century unveiled a detailed blueprint for every person, showing just how uniquely we are made. Modern advancements in science and medicine only continue to uncover astonishing details about how we function. Today, terms like “stem cells” and “cannabinoids” dominate discussions of groundbreaking medical progress, yet these concepts were unknown not so long ago. We now stand on the brink of remarkable advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and regenerative science, gaining insight into the vast potential inherent within us.

This reminds me of a memorable moment in the 1974 movie “Young Frankenstein.” Gene Wilder’s character, Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, is about to take on his infamous science project. Searching for guidance, he reads from his grandfather’s notebook, revealing the title, “How I Did It.”

The Father, too, has a “notebook,” but it’s woven into creation itself. Scientists, mathematicians, and thinkers across many disciplines are only beginning to skim the pages of this divine manuscript. With every discovery in biology, physics, and medicine, we uncover more pieces of His brilliant design. We’re learning how He crafted humanity with precision and care, leveraging these understandings to improve lives. Yet, even with all our advances, we’re merely scratching the surface of His magnificent, intelligent design and creation.

Take a moment to reflect on this. Every part of you—every cell, every thread of DNA—was assembled with love and intention. You’re a masterpiece, wonderfully and uniquely made in the Father’s eyes. No comparison or criticism could capture the extraordinary truth of who you are. You are precious, and your design is nothing short of extraordinary.

REFLECT & PRAY

The more I learn about the incredible intricacy and mind-boggling complexity of the human mind and body, the more I am left in absolute awe of my magnificent, intelligent Creator. How could I choose to live in defiance of such a glorious, creative genius?

Father, Your thoughts and abilities are beyond anything I could ever comprehend. They rise far above anything I could even dream of. I kneel in humble adoration before You. Teach me, Lord, to live in reverence of Who You are. Guide my steps, and help me choose a path that honors You.

INSIGHT

Isaiah 55 so beautifully illustrates this truth: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

It’s a humbling reminder of just how vast and unsearchable God truly is. Psalms 139 adds to this picture, showcasing the Father’s infinite wisdom and care as the all-knowing, all-present creator of wonders beyond our understanding. Every verse of this psalm declares who He is, what He has done, and what He actively continues to do in and beyond the confines of time and space.

Psalms 139:13-18 celebrates the breathtaking intricacy with which God made us. Verse 14 is particularly compelling, captured uniquely across translations: “For all these mysteries I thank you: for the wonder of myself, for the wonder of your works” (Kidner). “I thank you because you have so wondrously and mysteriously made me and because all your works are so wonderful; you know me completely” (USB).
“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it” (NLT).

David, who penned these words, didn’t have access to modern science. He had no microscopes and no knowledge of DNA or cellular processes. Yet through keen reflection and a deep sense of awe, he recognized the Father’s unmatched brilliance. He stood amazed at the Creator’s intricate design of human life.

Consider the human mind—a marvel in itself. Think of the brain’s ability to record sights, sounds, smells, and textures; its power to recall memories and emotions; its capacity to solve problems and make decisions. It operates with a level of intelligence and precision that we are only beginning to scratch the surface of understanding. McDonald’s observations summarize it well: The brain alone is a masterpiece of engineering that defies coincidence or randomness—it speaks of divine intention and skill.

The excellence of His Creator moved David so much that he couldn’t help but erupt in praise and worship. He saw God’s handiwork in every fiber of his being, and his response was gratitude and humility.

Modern worship offers us hymns that beautifully capture the awe and reverence we feel for our Creator. One such timeless hymn is “How Great Thou Art.” Ranked second only to “Amazing Grace” in a 2001 Christianity Today survey of all-time favorite hymns, its words resonate deeply with hearts longing to honor the Father’s greatness:

“O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made.
I see the stars; I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.”

“Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!”

But there is more! He who made us is there for us! The One who formed the galaxies, who shaped the mountains and called the stars into being, doesn’t just leave us to marvel at His creation. He is present with us, available to us in every moment. The Creator of all things cares deeply for His creation.

Psalms 46:1 reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”

Our Father, who molded us with intricate care, knows us thoroughly. He understands the details of our being in a way no one else can. He isn’t a distant Creator, observing from afar. He sees every struggle, every tear, every hope, and every failure. The same hands that formed us are always ready to comfort us, guide us, and carry us through life’s challenges.

Psalms 139 offers a profound glimpse into the depth of His knowledge and love for us. He knows every part of who we are. He knows our strengths and celebrates them. He knows our weaknesses and sinful desires—nothing is hidden from Him. He sees the wounds we carry and the fears we bury. And yet, despite knowing us fully, He desires intimacy with us. He longs for a close and personal relationship with each one of us.

As Charles Stanley observes, our heavenly Father is uniquely positioned to care for us. He knows every detail of our being because He made us. He understands our struggles better than we do. And with that perfect knowledge, He offers His unending love and care.

What a miracle it is to be known so deeply by the One who holds the cosmos in His hands yet takes the time to hold us, too. May we respond as the psalmist did—with awe, gratitude, and a deep desire to draw nearer to our Creator God, our Father.

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© Dr. H 2025