Search Me, O God

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

We know that David was a man after God’s own heart. He was called as a young man, but as he grew there were sometimes that David made some mistakes; And instead of getting his counsel from God, he yielded to his flesh. But in our key verses above, David had chosen to take a self-inventory. All of us should take a self-inventory every once and awhile.

Many companies will do an inventory to see what they have and what is lacking. Spiritually, it is wise for the Christian believer to do a self-inventory to see where we stand with God. And so, we can do as David did by us saying, “Search me, O God.” Because we want to ensure that sinful thoughts and actions are not taking root in our life, to hinder our walk with God.

Often times we can find ourselves getting caught up in our daily activities, while failing to spend enough quality time with God.

In the Bible, the heart is seen as the seat of the mind, will, and emotions. We can ask the Lord to examine our heart, because we are moved by the affections of our heart…whether these affections be good or bad. As believers, we must pay close attention to what goes into and what comes out of our heart. God knows the innermost parts of our thoughts and motivations. So, there is nothing that we do that God doesn’t know about.

How much time do you spend seeking the will of God? Do you spend much time searching the scriptures? How much time do you spend just meditating upon the Word of God?

So, in our self-inventory, even though God already knows our innermost thoughts and motivations, He is a gentlemen; So, He wants us to choose to admit our faults to Him, and ask Him to help us to overcome these faults and sins.

God will then offer us counsel through His Word, and even through Godly people who have discernment. As believers, we can’t find ourselves running to this sinful world for answers. Don’t be that Christian who refuses Godly counsel from trusted Godly people. Especially when you are a member of a ministry, that you know in your heart, is truly preaching doctrine that is aligned with the Word of God. We have to be able to receive sound teaching and admonishment when others see us going down the wrong road. The bottomline is that whoever we choose to listen to the most, is what is going to show up the most in our life; Whether it be spiritual fruit from Godly counsel or the works of the flesh that come from listening to the world.

As we talk with God, He will let us know whether we are applying the Word of God to our daily life. If we are truly applying the Word of God in our life, the outward expression will be that we will continue to shine brightly even in dark times. When adversity comes, we will be that person who looks to God and says, “Lord, I know you are going to help me.”

John 5:39
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

When you hear people testifying about the goodness of God; And encouraging you to serve God and live by His guidance; Don’t shun away from what these folks are saying. Take heed to their guidance. When a sincere follower of Christ speaks on Godly things, they are speaking from the Word of God; And that is to give Godly counsel and to encourage others on how to do Godly things. Because when a person does Godly things, they are going to reap the benefits from God. Personally, I want to see you the reader prosper. For that matter, any sincere Christians desires to see their loved ones, family, and friends, and any other person doing better. I guarantee that if you do things God’s way, you will reap some good benefits from God. But sadly, many people want the benefits but not God.

God has got to be first in our life. No matter how hard we try, if God is not first in our life things just won’t turn out right. We must have a determined mind that we are going to obey God, because He is our Saviour, deliverer, provider, keeper, waymaker; And we are going to do what He has instructed us to do. Instead of listening to our five senses, we are going to be led by the Holy Spirit.

John 5:41-42
41 I receive not honour from men.
42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

Verse 41warns us not to place all our confidence in humans. Then verse 42 is why we ask God to search our heart; And we come clean with the things we’ve been allowing to have priority over God. If its money, relationships, etc… we ask God to forgive us and help us to keep Him first. God wants us to have good relationships, good careers, and many of the material things we enjoy, but the issue arises when we make a little god of these things. Because every material thing we could ever get or have in this world, I’m looking for a day when I’ll have to leave them all behind to go see my Saviour face-to-face; And if you’re so attached to the material things of this world, you’ll have a situation like Lot’s wife.

So, we have to ask God to search our heart. We shouldn’t just walk around thinking that we’ve got it all together, because the devil has ways of creating illusions that make us believe that we’re all right. But we have to go to God, saying “Lord, search me. You know my thoughts. Lord, lead me in the way of righteousness. Help me to drop those things that hinder me. Show me how to be an overcomer.”

As believers, we are God’s ambassadors. Other people are watching our life. So, we really want to ensure that we are striving to do what is right. When we have a desire to keep God first in our life: We are mindful of how we carry ourselves everyday. We are mindful of the words we speak. We are mindful of how we treat our family. We are mindful of how we conduct ourselves on the job.

God works on our innermost heart; And the results are seen outwardly. When God works from the inside out, it will be manifested that you and I are His children.