OBSERVATION: Who writes stuff like this? "Search me?" "Point out my faults?" When was the last time I came home from work and said to my wife, "Hey honey, could you do me a favor and spend some time reviewing my day with me and give me the straight-up truth about my behaviors and motives? Don't hold back...just bring it on..."? Let's see, the last time I did that was...NEVER!
My tendency is to either minimize or deny my faults. I suspect I'm not alone in that. So why would King David invite God to shine the light on his heart and root out anything in his life that is displeasing to God? Perhaps it is because David had learned that facing the truth--even the hard truth about ourselves--leads to exactly what Jesus said it would: freedom ("You will know the truth and the truth will set you free" - John 8:32). One of the clearest signs of spiritual and emotional health is our willingness to keep our lives anchored in reality--dealing with "what is." And long before he had ever heard the phrase, David wanted to "keep it real."
It seems to me that it takes a strong person--someone confident in the fundamental goodness and graciousness of God--to invite that level of inspection.
APPLICATION: For me to lead well and to live my life well I need God's wisdom in the inner crevices of my soul--to reveal my blind spots, to heal my brokenness, and to keep me humble and honest in my relationships with others. If I am unaware of the world inside me it will eventually mess up the world around me.
PRAYER: Thank you God that you care enough about me that you want to bring truth into my life so that I can live well and honor you. This is a bold and somewhat daunting prayer but here it goes: "Search MY heart, O God. Test me and know MY thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." Amen.
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