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 NIV)

I was busy cleaning house one morning when I was flabbergast to see something which I had not seen, even though it had been right in front of my face for the past year.  A year ago, I had done some patch work on my bedroom’s doorframe, which the previous owner’s dog had used as his chew toy.  I had sanded the areas and them filled them and sanded them again, and repainted.  As I was now wiping the doorframe down however, what was starring me in the face was an area that I had neglected to paint when I painted all the others.  How could I have possibly missed it, and for a whole year too, I mused.  I shook my head, then went and found the touch up paint and proceeded to finish this unfinished task.

For whatever reason, that one patched spot on the doorframe had been concealed from me.  It had become obscure, even though each day I walked by it many times.  This thought sparked within my mind today’s Scripture. It caused me to consider how long it had been since I made the time to simply and prayerfully sit quietly before the Lord. To be quiet before him, so that he might search my heart, my thoughts and point out any obscure sin which I had become so accustomed to, that I no longer recognized it for what it was: sin which needed to be confessed, that I might receive forgiveness and wisdom to think and walk according to God’s everlasting way.

How about you?  Along with me, are you prepared today to pray: 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. 

Prayer: Father God remind me every day to take the time to allow you to search and know my heart, to try me and know my thoughts.  Open my mind to hear your voice as I allow you to do so.  Open my will to desire above all to obey your voice.  Open my heart to your forgiveness and to forgive myself. Open my eyes to see and apply your everlasting way to my thoughts and behaviour that I might glorify you in all I do and think and speak.  In Christ’s name.  Amen.

Lynne Phipps
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada