Today we are continuing in our teaching series called “The power of prayer” based on Psalm 139.

Prayer like we find here in Psalm 139 is very vulnerable. It’s a complete opening of ourselves to the Lord.

In Psalm 139 David is inviting the Lord behind the curtain, behind what even David himself knows, to search him, to test him, to uncover hidden sin, and to lead him. As David sought the Lord in these areas, we want to do that as well.

Throughout this series we are exploring and praying these four petitions: Search me, test me, uncover my sins, and lead me.

Today we continue with “Test me and know my anxious thoughts”

This psalm sets a scene of tension. Evil, violent, malicious antagonists surround the psalmist and blaspheme his God. The abrupt shift in tone is jarring, but it reflects reality—especially for the leader of a nation with mixed loyalties. The psalmist, devoted to God, cannot stand those who hate God and pervert his ways. Yet he knows that he too is fallen, and in his current state he needs God’s searching light to expose the hidden darkness in his own soul. The psalmist concludes by asking God to search his heart and lead him on the right path.
-(NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible)

Know My Anxious Thoughts
(thoughts that are troubling)

tribos = thoughts- well-worn paths
know the paths of my thoughts.

Excerpt from “Am I Really Okay” by Debra Fileta

“We all have automatic thoughts—things we think without a conscious decision to think those things. The thing we have to be most aware of about our automatic thoughts is that sometimes we’re not really seeing the big picture. Sometimes what we’re thinking isn’t accurate or complete. Sometimes we find ourselves thinking thoughts because it’s the easiest way to think. It’s the way we’ve always thought. It’s easy and superficial and doesn’t take too much work. When it comes to our thought process, our brain loves the path of least resistance. What I’ve done most often is the easiest thing to do again because it takes the least amount of work. Thoughts included. The problem with that response is that too often our default patterns of thinking are unhealthy and often untrue."

Tests are our opportunities to trust God to help us take a different path…

Bottom Line:
We must ask for help if we want the Healer to heal.