Psalm 139:23-24 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way.”

There is far more there than can be unpacked that will be possible in this devotional, but some pertinent truths can be examined.   A cursory reading of David’s prayer will not convey the depth of what he was seeking but let us consider a few thoughts.

David asked God to examine him and reveal his character in depth.  He wanted God to identify every sin so that he could follow the right path and inherit eternal life. In the previous verses, David extolled God’s omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence.  He knew that God was everywhere and knew everything, so his prayer in vv. 23-24 might seem redundant.

David knew that God knew everything about him. Nothing was hidden, so why the prayer? This prayer revealed David’s heart. He wanted God to pull back the curtain of his mind and show him his heart the way God saw it.  That is powerful and dangerous! I believe that is one of the reasons God could call David a man after His own heart. He was open and sought God’s active involvement and correction in his life. 

David wanted God to reveal his heart. The word heart in Hebrew is (levav) and includes what we would call the mind and thoughts. It also includes resolve, courage, fear, and discouragement. Therefore, David invites God into the innermost part of his being and asks God to put heaven’s spotlight on his life. He wants God to help him alter his perspective, self, and worldview. 

David had Anxious thoughts!   Sometimes, God seemed a million miles away, and doubt crept in.  David appears to detest anxiety of heart in himself and asks God to bring the anxious thoughts and reasons for them to light.  He says, “God, let me see me as You see me.”  He was asking that his flaws and weaknesses be exposed so that he could become what God said he was.  He wanted to Be, not just Do!

1 Peter 5:6-7, there is the admonition to humble ourselves before God so that He can exalt us or transform us in His perfect timing, and in that state, we are enabled to cast, roll, hurl, toss all our anxieties upon God, knowing that He cares for and loves us. 

It would be beneficial to consider the words, ‘hurtful ways.’  What do we mean by Hurtful ways?   Some translations render it ‘wicked’ and some ‘grievous’ or ‘sorrow.’   The thought of hurtfulness could be directed at the relationship with others. 

David wanted God to expose any sins he had normalized in his heart and glossed over, justifying or excusing them. He knew that only as he walked with a pure heart could he please God and his heart desired to please God. He knew he could not lead effectively if there was iniquity in his heart. 

The Essential Question is, do we know our own hearts?  Are we willing to allow God to put us under the microscope and examine us?  We have great and precious promises from God.  Psalm 24 asks who can ascend into the mountain of God. 

What was the answer? Those with innocent hands and pure hearts, those who have not pursued worthlessness or made insincere covenants and contracts, and those whose hearts are fully turned to the LORD.

Psalm 119 asks, “How can a person keep their heart pure?”  The answer:  By living according to the Word.  We need to pray David’s Prayer in Psalm 139 and determine that we will become transformed into Whom God says we are, reflecting Him.  In that condition, we will see the Mighty Hand of God move.

Therefore, when anxious thoughts come – resist them.   When hurtful ways are revealed – repent and return to the Lord.  God wants to make us an expression of His person and character to the world.  He wants to meet all your needs according to His riches in glory.  He wants you to walk in the fullness of His provision and enforce the victory of Calvary. 

That is our heritage. But first, ask Him to show you the lack so that He can replace it with Himself. Then, He will embolden you with His power so that you can fulfill His purpose for your life. Remember, you are victorious! Believe it and receive it!

May the Lord be with you today and guide you into His Peace.