Daily Prayers for EveningsНамуна

Invite Him In

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way. PSALM 139: 23-24 CSB

We don't often ask to be searched. We don't usually welcome it. Maybe we've experienced a search at the airport. Or the security guard at the stadium rummaging through our bags. In Psalm 139, the writer, David, asks God to search him and know his heart. He asks to be tested. He asks to be led in God's ways. This process might seem vulnerable or terrifying at first glance. After all, we don't want our ugliness - our harmful habits, unhealthy behaviors, careless words, or unkind thoughts - to be revealed and exposed. But when we consider what being searched and tested can lead to, we might be more prone to invite God into our lives in this way. We know that God is merciful and loving, full of grace. So, inviting Him to evaluate our lives and desires can result in challenges and upheaval, but it will only lead us closer to being more like Jesus. What could be better than that?

Lord, I feel hesitant to ask You to search me. But God, I trust You. So please search me. I know that You are good and just and merciful. I know that You see the wrongdoing in my life - my selfishness, my greed, my pride - and You want me to be free from all of it. I ask for Your forgiveness. Help me to see more clearly the ways that my selfish desires crowd out my desire for You. I want to be more like Jesus every day. Amen.