Search Me, God, And Know My Heart

Scripture: Psalm 139: 1-4, 23-24

O Lord, You have searched me and known me. ²You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. ³You ^[a]comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. ⁴For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; ²⁴And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

Scripture Commentary: God knows your heart and sees your anxieties.

When we say, “Search me,” we are really asking God for help. God knows your heart. He knows the question before we ask. He also knows the answer.

Sometimes we know the answer, too, and it’s no. Don’t ask for what you know is wrong.

Don’t play games with God.

We may want something that we know is wrong but the flesh (Satan) says to ask anyway. This is wrong. God will give if it is His way. In His love for us, God place His Holy Spirit in each of us. In calling on God, His Spirit will always direct us on His path. Before asking to be searched, do an inventory on yourself with the help of the Holy Spirit. And do what the Holy Spirit directs.

We need to have as much respect for ourselves as God has for us.

We are made in His image, and He loved us before we ever knew Him.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Psalm Chapter 139

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Psalms:

Meditate on God’s Word Day and Night

Have Mercy on My Weakness, O Lord

God, A Very Present Help During Trouble

Scripture: Psalm 46: 1-3

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

Scripture Commentary: Make a point to present yourself to God in 2021.

We have just ended the year 2020 and now we are starting the present year, 2021. Some of us have lost loved ones, friends or people we knew. We shed tears, but what kind of tears? Did we cry for joy because we know the person had accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior?

This planet we call home is just a stopping station.

It’s a place to prepare for our eternal home in either heaven or hell. Each day we are given a choice to accept or reject God.

For those who accept Christ, the psalmist says that even if the world ends, we need not fear in the face of utter destruction. The writer expressed a quiet confidence in God’s ability to save him.

God is our refuge at all times and in all things.

Do not be consumed by fear or by what we are going through today with Covid-19. God is our refuge even in the face of total destruction. God is not merely a temporary retreat. He is our eternal refuge and can provide strength in any circumstance now and in the future.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Psalm Chapter 46

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Psalms:

Let Your New Year’s Resolution Be to Learn God’s Word!

Praise the Greatness of Our God

How to Overcome Temptations Common to Man

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10: 13, 21

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to ^[d]bear it.(13) You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.(21)

Scripture Commentary:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man. God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. But when you are tempted, God will provide a way out if you call on Him.

Paul tells us there is a battle going on with the flesh and the spirit. He isn’t referring to our physical flesh; he is referring to our spiritual soul. The natural self wants to do what feels good and easy.

God’s Holy Spirit in you wants you to glorify Him, not yourself.

These two spirits are constantly against one another as long as you live. What Paul is telling us is the flesh (Satan) desires what is contrary to the Holy Spirit (God).

The Spirit of God is contrary to the flesh (Satan). The Holy Spirit inside of you says, “Live for God,” and your flesh says, “Live for yourself.” When we live for God, we submit to Him daily by reading the Bible and call on Him. This is how God nourishes our spirit (our soul).

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

1 Corinthians Chapter 10

Read Other Commentary from the Book of 1 Corinthians:

Where Is the Wise? Search for Wisdom

Can Others See the Temple of God in You?

God Hasn’t Given You A Spirit of Fear

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1: 7, 14

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.(7) That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.(14)

Scripture Commentary:

What in your life keeps you up at night and plagues you during the day? Is it the fear of losing your job, spouse, or health? These are some of the things that may be ricocheting through your mind that refuse to be quieted.

In Psalm 139: 23, David asked God to search his heart for there was something David needed to face. After asking God to search his heart, David prayed, “know my anxious thoughts.” He wanted to share his worst with God.

Why do we fear going to God and exposing ourselves with questions and fears that He already knows about?

There is nothing too big for God. There’s nothing He does not already know. Pray to God. He will reveal what holds you hostage and show you how to deal with it.

What we fear the most often reveals where we trust God the least. Our fears matter because ultimately, our fears show how we’re relying on our own self and not God.

You can’t be driven by fear and please, serve and honor God. You must ask God for help.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

2 Timothy Chapter 1

Psalm 139

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Second Timothy:

Jesus Was Raised From the Dead for You

The Last Days Will Be Terrible

Lift Your Eyes to the Lord

Scripture: Psalm 121: 1-7

I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? ²My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. ³He will not allow your foot to ^[a]be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. ⁴Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.⁵The Lord is your ^[b]keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand.⁶The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.⁷ The Lord shall ^[c]preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.

Scripture Commentary: I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord.

When you opened your eyes this morning did you thank God for waking you up? When you are asleep, you lose all control of your body function. God, through His Holy Spirit, has taken over.

The psalm expresses assurance and hope in God’s protection day and night.

God, our Father and Creator, loves and protects us when we are most vulnerable, when we cannot protect ourselves. Never trust a lesser power than God Himself! There is nothing that can distract God, who is all powerful, and watches over us 24/7.

We are safe in God’s hands.

From the time we came into the world, God has been our protector. In God’s presence we have peace and protection. This world cannot provide; only God can.

So tonight thank God for this day that He has given you because you won’t see it again. And pray that He watches over you during the night.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Psalm Chapter 121

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Psalms:

The Lord Is My Light

Create In Me A Clean Heart

Don’t Worry That You Don’t Understand Everything

Proverbs 20: 24

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?

Psalm 37: 23-24

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

2 Corinthians 4: 17-18

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Scripture Commentary: We won’t understand everything.

Proverbs 20: 24 tells us not to worry if we do not understand everything as it happens in our lives. It’s easy to be lost and confused when we deal with worldly events. We make plans and maybe they go the way we planned, and maybe not. God’s time table is His, not ours.

Psalm 37: 23 says the person in whom God delights is one who follows God, and puts their trust in Him. If you let Him, God will direct your steps and will not lead you down the wrong path.

The problems that we will have should not diminish our faith.

God is not giving us a bed of roses type of life. If God did, then we will think we don’t need Him. When we see how God pulls us through the mess we create, we realize that only His love, grace and mercy got us through.

Read the Entire Chapters of the Scriptures Referenced:

Proverbs Chapter 20

Psalm Chapter 37

2 Corinthians Chapter 4

Read Other Commentary from the Old Testament:

Serve Only the Lord Your God

Read Other Commentary from the New Testament:

Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?

Have A Wise and Discerning Heart for God

Scripture: Proverbs 3: 5-7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.^[a] ⁷Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.

Scripture Commentary:

My way is the right way; it’s the only way! Does this sound familiar? These days everyone feels that s/he is wise. We have been told to do some things but for many, those things don’t fit our plans or the way we do things. So we go off doing what we want, not caring who or what it may affect.

We’re all going through a trial in our lives with coronavirus. We have people telling us what to do to be safe, and people telling us to go into the world as if nothing is different and to do what we want.

God has placed His Holy Spirit in us to guide and direct us. As Jesus said, “My people know my voice.”

What is the difference between sound judgment and discernment?

Discernment is the ability God gives us to think and make correct choices. For sound judgment we need to know the voice of God. If it’s not God’s voice we hear, if it’s focused on “me, myself, and I,” then it’s Satan’s.

So the question is are you listening to God or Satan?

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Proverbs Chapter 3

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Proverbs:

Trust in the Lord

Use God’s Gifts to You

Innocent Blood Redeems Us

Scripture: Matthew 27: 3-4

When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ⁴“I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

Scripture Commentary:

“I have betrayed innocent blood.” Judas returned to the priests exclaiming that he had sinned.

What is that to us? Rather than help him find forgiveness, the priests said, “That is your problem. Deal with it.”

Who do you go to when you sin?

No man or women of flesh and skin can truly forgive you. Only God can. Without Judas, Jesus would not be crucified. When Jesus picked His disciples, He knew who Judas was and what Judas had to do.

Psalm 41:9 foretells of Judas’ betrayal. It was preordained for him to do this. In Matthew 27: 3 it says that Judas repented and then hung himself. In Luke 23: 43 after the thief on the cross repented, Jesus forgave him and told him he would be with Him in paradise.

We may not want to think of Judas in paradise with Jesus but he repented of his sin in asking God to forgive him. Even at the last second, God forgives.

God forgave Judas; God will forgive you.

If you are reading this, you have time to go to God and pray for forgiveness.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Matthew Chapter 27

Psalm Chapter 41

Luke Chapter 23

Read Other Commentary from the New Testament:

The Circumcision of Christ Cuts Your Sinful Nature

Husband and Wife: Keep God in Your Marriage

We Know God Is Always With Us

Scripture: Romans 8: 28-29

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[i] have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Scripture Commentary: As believers we know that we aren’t left to our own resources.

Even when we’re lost and do not know the right words to pray, we know that God’s Holy Spirit in us will give us what we need. Just call on Him.

Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you in accordance with God’s will.

God works in all things – not just in isolated incidents. This doesn’t mean that all that happens is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our good as long as it is in His will.

God is not working to make us happy for our own gratification but to fulfill His purpose. This call to serve is not for everyone; it is meant for those who are called according to His purpose. Those who are called are those the Holy Spirit convinces and enables to receive Christ.

Such people have a new perspective, a new mindset on life. They trust in God, not this world’s treasures. Their security is in Jesus and not the things of this earth.

Are you hearing Jesus’s call?

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Romans Chapter 8

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Romans:

Jesus Set Us Free with His Sacrifice on the Cross

Who Are You to Pass Judgment on Others?

God Told Us Things To Give Us Peace

Scripture: John 16: 33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Scripture Commentary:

The disciples did not fully understand what Jesus told them, and at the time they had questions. One of the questions was if Jesus went away, what would happen to them?

One answer Jesus had for them, and us today, is not to long for answers to the problems in our life. That’s an unrealistic goal since in this world, we will have trouble. There’s an eternity of problem-free living reserved for us in heaven. Rejoice in that inheritance. No one can take from us.

We can have a personal relationship with God through Christ

Christ’s death on the cross made a personal relationship with God available to each of us. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide us on how to live and follow in the path of righteousness.

This time on earth is temporary. Our home in God’s kingdom is permanent. So, what we are going through now is only for a short time. In spite of these inevitable struggles, we are not alone.

The ultimate victory has already been won. We can claim Christ in the most troublesome times.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

John Chapter 16

Read Other Commentary from the Book of John:

God Didn’t Send Jesus to Condemn the World

God So Loved You That He Gave His Son