Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB)
Our family relationships, particularly with our spouse, are intimate affairs built on love and trust. We open the door to our heart to our nearest and dearest, and they know exactly what we are thinking or saying – they know our heart. Today’s scripture talks of a far more intimate relationship with our Father God; He really does know the full contents of our hearts.
David opens this psalm in verse one, “O LORD, You have searched me and known me” which is an acknowledgment of a fact – God searches the hearts of men. Search, châqar in the Hebrew language means to examine intimately, sound, or try something. This reminded me of a couple of cooking processes; the piercing of a chicken to see if the juices run clear, meaning it is cooked. The other one comes from the baking of scones; we turn one upside down and tap the base to ‘sound it’ – if it sounds solid they’re not ready, and if it sounds hollow they are ready. God may pierce or sound us occasionally to discern our spiritual state, and whether we are fit to serve Him.
Dear Reader, in verses 23-24, David is inviting God to search Him – to put his heart under the scrutiny of the divine microscope. He wants to know his faults so that he may repair his heart to serve God in deeper holiness. This is bravery borne out of a deep love for God and His Word; seeking to dwell ever closer with Him. Do you have such bravery in you today – could you pray, “Search me, O God!”
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Devotional Treasures
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