Psalm 139:23-24

Psalm 139

23 

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
 Try me and know my thoughts!

24 

And see if there be any grievous way in me,
 and lead me in the way everlasting!

We all know that one of the characteristics of our amazing, almighty God is that He is all-knowing. We are aware that He knows our thoughts and discerns our hearts. There is nothing that we think, say, or do that slips by Him. But are we in a place where we would ask for Him to examine us? These verses are a prayer that asks God to test us.

Search me and know my heart—are you comfortable examining what is deep in your heart? Are you ready for what God may reveal? Are you harboring deep-rooted bitterness, anger, depression, malice, sadness, or hate? Are you holding onto selfish desires or dreams that are outside of God’s plans for your life?

Try me and know my thoughts- are you ready to confront your thought life? Are you ready to truly grow as a Christian by taking your thoughts captive (2 Cor. 10:5) and thinking like Christ? Are you ready for God to show you your thoughts of fear, that question God’s will? What about your thoughts that judge or tear down others? What about the thoughts that tear down yourself? Are you ready for Him to call out impure thoughts of lust and desire- thoughts that are not only dishonoring to yourself but to others as well?

See if there be any grievous way in me- Are you ready to ask God- is there anything in me that grieves You? Anything within me that is wicked? Any sin that I refuse to let go of? Are you prepared to take the steps required when God reveals these things to you?

This is a hard prayer. A painful prayer. Its not something you just say and walk away from. It requires examination and action. It demands change. But it is not something you do on your own. God is working in you and on you. He is gracious and merciful and knows your weaknesses. His love for you is why He wants you to undergo this process (regularly!).

God never intended for you to meet Him and then stay where you were at. He never meant for you to plateau in your faith for weeks, months, years, or decades at a time. Stop running and face God. Allow Him to work in you so that you are prepared for Him to work through you.  

If you have a few minutes, take a look at this video that is a beautiful illustration of these verses- http://youtu.be/3QCkBL2DfVg