"Search Me"

 

     "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24).

     "Cleanse Thou me from secret faults" (Psalm 19:12).

 

     The Psalmist knew the potential and actuality of error within himself.  God's truth and David's personal experience of sin and error had well taught him how wrong he could be in matters of the heart, the mind, and the way.

 

     In a world that "lieth in wickedness," born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ do well to join David in the awareness of our ongoing need for "doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (I John 5:19: II Timothy 3:16).  Things precious to us are sometimes actually poisonous.  Attitudes that seem justifiable often do not align with the love of Christ.  Ways that beckon us with seemingly bright and shining light on the horizon may guide us into grave darkness.  And "secret faults" may ultimately lead to open failure and shame if left unexposed and uncorrected.

 

     David well knew that he could not lead himself out of darkness, nor could he cleanse his own heart, mind and way.  He therefore entrusted the matter to the One whose eyes are "as a flame of fire," and who "seeth all" (Revelation 1:14; Job 34:21).  Rather than excessive and futile introspection, the Psalmist sought his Lord's confirming and/or correcting viewpoint.  In essence, David prayed, "Lord, tell me what You see.  And then lead me by Your light to continue and grow in Truth, while also being led out and away from darkness."

 

    Fewer prayers are more important, and few more reveal genuine knowledge of God, ourselves, and the present environment in which we live.  The humility of Christ leads and enables such selfless devotion to our Heavenly Father, preparing us to honor Him and bless others.  Today is a good day to join David in his humble request.  Tomorrow will be also, and then every subsequent day of our lives.  We can be sure our Father will be pleased, and even more, that He will answer by leading us in the way and by cleansing secret faults.

 

"My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of His correction: For whom the LORD loveth He correcteth; even as a father the son in whom He delighteth."

(Proverbs 3:11-12)