4 minute read
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV)
Let God search your heart.
Shining God’s light into the dark spaces of our hearts brings freedom. All of us are operating under some kind of lie. We frequently believe things that aren’t true. Our limited perspective allows easy deception. If we don’t give God access to the nooks and crevices of our spirit, we will never know His truth.
Over the years, I’ve heard many messages on this passage. Typically, the pastor talks about how brave you are when you pray this bold prayer over your life—in other words, actively asking God to search your heart takes courage. However, for me, having God search my heart isn’t brave; it’s necessary. If I don’t allow God into the crevices, I can’t live my life to the fullest as He intends. Only with complete transparency can I live in total fullness. Therefore, when I ask God to search my heart, I know the one who benefits most is me.
Transparency decreases anxiety.
When we are transparent with God, He reduces our anxiety. Beginning a conversation with Him is necessary for God to act. Asking Him to search your heart leads to peace that surpasses all understanding. Peter tells us we are to:
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)
Each of us have hidden things in our heart which are causing us anxiety. Only when we open ourselves up for God’s inspection can He reveal what is unseen. Then, we can truly cast our cares to the One who loves us most.
The other part to God’s searching, He reveals areas of offense. For me, these revelations usually lead to an action. Maybe my communication in a conversation wasn’t loving. Or perhaps, I’m deceiving myself in someway. The closer I grow to God, the more sensitive my spirit is to the sin within me. None of us are without sin, only Jesus. God showing us our sin, gives us the opportunity to repent and grow deeper into Him.
Allowing God to search my heart illuminated my fear of people. Past relational hurts only feeds into the apprehension I have. When God enters into the part of my heart where those hurts live, He brings healing. God also shows me my part in the conflict, which helps me make amends. If we don’t allow God to search our hearts, we never find our way to the place that is everlasting.
Start small. Open a piece of your heart to God you are afraid to give Him. Let Him search you. In Him, you will find life to the full.
Question of the Day:
What area of your heart are you not letting God into today?
Further Reading: Haggai 1:1-2:23 NIV, Revelation 11:1-19 NIV, Psalm 139:1-24 NIV, Proverbs 30:15-16 NIV
