"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE SAFETY WE HAVE IN THE LORD"
Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;
Psalm 139:24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:
This Psalm, penned by David, is one in which he expresses his praise to God, and brings his circumstances to God, asking God to help him. Right here at the end, in the last two verses, David prays something very wise, and we would benefit ourselves if this prayer and attitude of heart was a regular part of our own lives. David had learned that God knew him, and could help him. The same God who helped David, stands ready at this moment to help any who call upon Him, and, He is able to do more than we can imagine.
1. God can search your heart and know you heart.
Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;
The word search, means to find out to examine, to investigate, to examine thoroughly. To ascertain, to seek out.
David understood, David knew the great power of God, and how God could help him, by looking into his life, and seeing what is there, and what needed not to be there etc. David had learned that he himself needed God's help to run his life, and that God was more than willing to do so, and thus he was asking God to search him, and to know his heart, his inner self.
Imagine for a moment if you will, that there is truly no one else that knows every last detail of your life and heart. He knows when you get up, and when you sit down, and He knows what you are thinking before you think it. He knows everything and wants to help you. David wanted God to examine him.
2. God can try you, and know your anxieties.
Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;
Here, David makes it a little more specific. He was asking if God would try him, or test him, and know his anxieties. His worries.
He was inviting God to really examine his heart and to reveal to David what He found. David knew his heart was very capable of having things in it, that were not good for him, or for anyone else, and that they certainly would not bring honor and glory to God. And, He knew that God knew. And, he knew that God could help him in identifying these things, and help him rid himself of them.
3. God can see if there is any wicked way in you.
Psalm 139:24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
David continues with his being very specific in his requests. And, he asks God to look into his heart and see if there was any "wicked way" in him. Wickedness is anything that would offend God. David knew full well, that he was capable of offending God, and he did not want to do that. And, He knew that God could help him, by revealing any wickedness within.
4. God can lead you in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
Here's the last thing David asked for. Along with pointing out anything in David's life that may be offensive to God, he was asking if the Lord would lead him along the path of everlasting life. Or along the path that is prescribed by God for us. It's the right path, versus the wrong path. What a great prayer, and what a great confidence David had in our great God.
God knows the way, in fact, He is the way, and He as our shepherd, is all about leading us in the right way. Jesus said there were two roads in life, one was very broad that leads to destruction, and one that is very narrow that leads to life. It's the narrow one that David wanted to be led on.
Some questions:
1. Have you ever prayed before like David did here?
2. Do you know that there is nothing to fear by opening yourself up to God in this way, but only benefit can come of it?
3. Do you know like David how much God loves you, and thinks about you and wants to help you this very day?
4. Do you know like David that you do not have to go it alone through this life, but you can walk closely with God?
5. Will you give this prayer a chance today? Pray it and see what God says to you.
A prayer:
Father, who is great like You? Who knows all that You know? There is no one like You. Thank You for Your immeasurable interest and love for us. Who can help us like You? Who is ready to help like You? Lord, we need Your help. We cannot do this on our own. Invade our hearts with Yourself Lord. We welcome Your examination, correction, revelation, etc. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
