Search me, God, and know my heart;
Test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
This Psalm by King David shows us a pattern we should adopt daily in our own lives. When we ask the Lord to search our hearts and test our thoughts, we show a willingness to be totally transparent. He knows us far better than we can know ourselves—right down to the number of hairs on our heads. David knew, as we should, that we can deceive ourselves into believing we’re walking the narrow road, but only God knows if our motives are pure or self-centered.
This demands a humble submission that can only be achieved when we desire God’s ways over our own. The opposite of a humble heart is a proud one, and that’s where the enemy wants us. If Satan can keep our hearts misaligned—our will over God’s—he has us right where he wants us.
Asking the Lord daily to show us any offensive way may be difficult—even perhaps painful. What might we be doing that grieves His heart? What might He ask of us that will take an act of courage and strength to achieve? Thankfully, as the Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians, we can do all things through Him who strengthens us.
And after David humbles himself, he asks the Lord to lead him in the way everlasting. What does that look like for us? A desire for holiness, to abide in Christ, and to live in obedience.
Sounds difficult, doesn’t it? Our study of Nehemiah is a beautiful reminder that we should mourn our sins, not from a place of unhealthy fear or self-hatred but from a place of reverence for God. This mourning should be followed by joy because God doesn’t leave us dead in our sins. His heart is to see us return to Him, and He graciously provides the mercy and forgiveness necessary to make that happen.
God’s Word should lead us to worship, repent, and rejoice. Yes, rejoice! For Jesus is our Lord, Savior, and model for how we are to walk out this life here on earth until He comes again.
Please pray that as we go into this new year, God will do a mighty work in the hearts of all believers—and that we will shine the light of Jesus Christ into our church, our community, our country, and the world.
“For God so loves the world…” John 3:16
