by John Doyle
Psalm 139: 23 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxieties.”
In searching the scriptures following the results of mine and Barbara’s Covid19 tests as positive and feeling so anxious about it, I came across this precious verse of scripture. Sometimes in life especially in these difficult days we need to ask the Lord to “Search me (us)” and lay before Him our anxieties.
Of course as a Sovereign God He already knows our hearts and concerns but for us to dwell with Him and spend time with Him in these anxious moments is so important.
Please read Psalm 139. It begins with David’s acknowledgement that God has “searched me”. The Lord knows everything about him Nothing about David or his life can be hidden from God, who knows even what David will say before he says it, Ps. 139:4. If he tried to escape from the Lord, in every place God would be present In fact, God knew David even in his mother’s womb as he knit him together wonderfully – Ps. 139:13-16
The first eighteen verses of Psalm 139 celebrate the Lord’s intimate knowledge of David. Verse 19 changes the subject abruptly: “O God, if only you would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers!” Ps. 139:19. It’s as if the memory of those who sought David’s life interrupted his celebration of God’s presence and filled his heart with hatred for his enemies.
Then Psalm 139 takes another unexpected turn, concluding with a prayer for the Lord to search David’s heart: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” Ps. 139:23-24.
Am sure David remembered that, like his enemies, he had done things in the past that dishonored the Lord. So he invited God to “Search Him” and reveal anything offensive. The understanding is that David would repent of those sins in order that God might “lead him along the path of everlasting life” (Ps. 139:24). Remember that classic verse of scripture “And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as King, to whom also gave testimony and said ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do My will” Acts 13:22
There are times in all of our lives when we need God to *Search Us* in this way. Though a part of us resists dealing with what is wrong in our lives, we know that we need to see our sin as God sees it, so that we might confess and be forgiven, and that we might turn from from any sin and follow the Lord completely.
How does God reveal any sin? In many ways: through reading Scripture, through hearing the Word of God preached, through the challenging love of friends, and through the still small voice of Gods Holy Spirit. In asking God to search us, we are also inviting Him also to open our hearts so that we might receive the conviction of his Spirit. Its good to ask the Lord to point out anything in us that offends Him, He will listen and through His Word and Spirit reveal it to us.
When was the last time you asked the Lord to “Search Me”? Have there been times in your life when God has revealed things to you that were hard, but essential, for you to hear? What helps you to attend to the convicting voice of God’s Word and Spirit? Are you ready for God to point out anything in your life that you know goes against His Word?
Take time in these difficult times and allow the Lord through His Word and Holy Spirit to *Search You* and become prepared for to be “Led in the way of the Everlasting” Ps. 139:24.
Dear Lord, we cannot improve upon David’s words in Psalm 139, but we can follow his example and So we so want to make this song of the faith our prayer today.
Search me, O God, and know my heart today
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray
See if there be some wicked way in me
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free
In the Love of the Lord Jesus,
John and Barbara
Thank you for sharing this devotional Ps. Graham. Have a blessed day.
Search me, oh God, and know my heart
Thank you for sharing John and Barbara. I pray you are fully recovered