“Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts—and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the Way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24
When we take God, His Word and our walk with Him seriously, this should be our daily prayer.
“Search me, O God.”
Quite a specific request, isn’t it, Pilgrim—especially when we realize the word “search” (Heb. “chaqar”) really means “to penetrate, examine thoroughly or intimately, to search out, sound the depths, etc.” This is no casual, ocular inspection; no, it’s an in-depth, intricate investigation that leaves no stone unturned and no doors locked.
It’s like a daily “Spring cleaning,” where the refrigerator, stove, sofa, bed, etc., are moved from their spots, revealing the dust, trash and vermin that have collected there over the many months. It’s like the annual physical where the doctor subjects you to a battery of test—blood work, EKG, EEG, stress test, etc.—to see if there’s some unseen danger lurking somewhere within you.
But, in this case, it’s God’s “soul-searching.”
And, His x-ray Vision misses nothing. No thought, word or deed is hidden to Him. Why, He even examines the motives behind what we think, say and do (Heb. 4:12). Yet, this thorough investigation is never for the purpose of condemnation (Jn. 3:16-18; 8:11); instead, it’s always for our conversion, cleansing and communion with Him. Hallelujah!!
The Hebrew word “yada” is used here for “know” and is the same word used in Gen. 4:1a where it says “And Adam ‘knew’ his wife and she conceived and bare a son.” This denoted intimate, physical union. Likewise, when Paul wrote “That I may know Him and the Power of His Resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Phil. 3:10), He wasn’t talking about head-knowledge; he was talking about intimate, experiential, spiritual communion with Christ, the Risen Lord.
Thus, David’s request for “God to search him, know him and try (Heb. ‘bachan’—‘to investigate, examine, prove, put to the test, etc.’) him” was really his heartfelt desire for God to have complete control of his life. Just as we wouldn’t buy a house where some of the rooms are locked or off-limits to us, so shouldn’t we expect Jesus to be “Lord of our lives” if He’s not “Lord of ALL.”
Sometimes a doctor’s tests are painful. And, his scalpel is always razor sharp. But, he never cuts us except for the purpose of getting to the root of the problem and helping bring healing and wholeness. And, so it is with the Great Physician and our relationship to Him.
Are you willing to pray this prayer this morning, Pilgrim? Are you ready to get serious with God and be “a vessel fit for His use” (II Tim. 2:21)? If so, give Him the key to your heart and free reign to make whatever changes are necessary in your life. The process may be painful, but the end-result will be beautiful. Go ahead. Let go and let God—and then watch Him work.
January 9, 2012
