March 10
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:23
This verse is a bold invitation from David asking God to do a “divine audit” of his life and his heart. David knows that God already is intimately familiar with him because He created David. Knowing this, David goes to the next level: asking God to actively and intensely investigate him, his life, and his heart. What a bold and daring request to make. The Hebrew word used for “search me” refers to a thorough and pain-staking investigation. I envision it being similar to miners panning for gold or early explorers trekking a new land. It’s an investigation that takes time and involves focused attention to detail. I also think about the crime shows I watch. The investigators, prosecutors, and defense lawyers spend copious hours investigating hundreds - thousands - of pictures, interviews, details, and forensic evidence. There is no stone left unturned, and the preparation for a trial can take months or years when there is a large amount of evidence to investigate. David is asking God to do this kind of searching of his heart.
“Know my heart.” David understands the One who created him - who knit him together in his mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13) and formed him in the secret place (Psalm 139:15) - already knows what is in his heart. David begins Psalm 139 stating that God has searched him and knows him. Why would David now request in verse 23 for God to search him and know his heart? The difference is David’s consent to God doing the searching. In the first verse, David acknowledges the fact God has searched him. It’s as though David says, “Yes, I know God has searched me, and He knows me.” It’s a fact he can not dispute. However, in verse 23 David is opening the doors of his heart desiring to be a partner in the sanctifying work that only God can do. It’s a daring and vulnerable request to ask God to search his heart - to dig deep - and do the sanctifying work that is needed. To be more aligned to what God desires and to follow God’s commands, David needs a thorough searching - and cleaning - of his heart. David can’t do this. Only God can.
What about you? Have you made this daring and vulnerable request for God to do the deep investigating - and cleaning - of your heart? Have you shared this bold invitation with the only One capable of doing the searching of the deep and hidden recesses of your heart? The One who created you, the One who already knows you and your heart desires to show you what’s there and will lovingly and graciously create a new heart in you. Are you willing to invite God to do that? What do you have to lose? What will you gain?
Father - You are the One who created me and knows everything about me. You don’t need my permission to search me, but I come to You asking that You do search me and know my heart. Search every room of my heart, every motive, every desire, every hidden ambition, and every thought. Your searching is not meant to shame me. It is meant to set me free. Refine me. I want my life to be a pleasing aroma to You. In Your name we pray. Amen