June 26

Search Me, O God

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 139:13-24 | 2 Kings 9:14-10:31 | Acts 17:1-34 | Proverbs 17:27-28

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Psalm 139:13-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV)

God knows us completely. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He sees the motives behind our words and actions.  

We think we know ourselves, but as Jeremiah reminds us: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV). Our minds and heart play many games to justify our behavior. Other times morbid introspection leaves us in a hopeless pit of false guilt and despair. But God sees through it all.

It is wise to pray the prayer of the psalmist daily. “God, you know me thoroughly. So search my heart. Test me and know my thoughts and cares. Show me the areas where I am causing offense.”  As God searches our hearts, truth is revealed so we can deal with it.

Armin Gesswein often reminded us at the College of Prayer that, “what God wants is not morbid introspection, but Holy Spirit inspection.” As he searches our hearts, we can repent and be set free. God’s searchlight brings repentance and transformation and leads to freedom.

God search our hearts so we can be set free from sin and its effects and find the life that is full, free, and everlasting. Amen.