Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 NLT O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. 4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. 5 You go before me and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my head. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! 7 I can never escape from Your Spirit! I can never get away from Your presence! 8 If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I go down to the grave, You are there. 9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, 10 even there Your hand will guide me, and Your strength will support me. 11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night – 12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from You. To You the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you…23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
John 2:23-25MSG During the time he was in Jerusalem, those days of the Passover Feast, many people noticed the signs he was displaying and, seeing they pointed straight to God, entrusted their lives to him. But Jesus didn’t entrust his life to them. He knew them inside and out, knew how untrustworthy they were. He didn’t need any help in seeing right through them.
Observation
This is a psalm of David. He was a man who was entirely human and made many mistakes along the journey of life. Yet, Paul calls him a man after God’s own heart. The reason David is called a man after God’s own heart is verses like Psalm 139:23-24. David learned through many years of struggle and waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled to be quick to recognize his human failings and outright sin, repent, submit himself to the mercy and grace of God, always trusting God would forgive and stay with him on the journey to bring light in darkness, give direction, fill him with wisdom, and provide protection.
You see, David understood that he was completely transparent in the sight of God, nothing was hidden – no thought, no action, no word, no shame, no guilt, nothing. God knew when the first thought occurred, and all of the subsequent dwelling on it, and what would come from it. David knew his bad choices were laid out before God from beginning to end. There were no internal closets (hiding places) where David could conceal his shame and guilt to keep it out of God’s sight or from God’s knowledge. So, David became a man who learned the power and restoration of true repentance, that deep and abiding sorrow for offending God. This is why he was called a man after God’s own heart.
Impact on Me
I think most of us are uncomfortable with the thought of being completely transparent – every thought, word and deed exposed. What if I could read the minds of others? Would I be offended or appalled by the raw emotion of the unspoken thoughts unfiltered by cultural mores or social rules? What if others could read my mind? The judgmental thought that I don’t express out of politeness or kindness may be unheard by others, but God knows. David is telling us that God hears, sees and knows every unspoken thought, whispered word and shameful act done when we think no one is watching.
When I first came to the Lord, I thought all my shame and guilt was locked up in so many closets within me, out of sight and mind, hidden from all. I thought I held the keys so no one would ever be able to open the doors and see inside. I found out that the Holy Spirit knew what was behind every door. He knew me “inside and out” so all my shame was exposed to God. What a humiliating revelation to me UNTIL I discovered that He was offering me forgiveness, redemption, restoration and joy in trade for the keys to all the doors. Over the years, He has opened the doors and cleaned out my internal closets. Now, like David, I pray “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
Devotion
“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. 4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. 5 You go before me and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my head. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! 7 I can never escape from Your Spirit! I can never get away from Your presence! 8 If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I go down to the grave, You are there. 9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, 10 even there Your hand will guide me, and Your strength will support me. 11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night – 12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from You. To You the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.” Lord, I ask that Your presence be so real, so palpable, that I will always choose to listen and obey You. May I live in a manner that honors and glorifies You always. Make it so, in Jesus’ name.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 