Distance Devotion – April 4, 2020
Psalm 139:23, 24 – Know My Thoughts O God!
Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
This thing we call a brain, the biblical term is reins, is where all of our practical problems arise. We are told not to worry, but being entirely honest which of us have not violated that command? We are told not to lust after things and certainly not after some other person than our spouse, but how many of us have had to do battle right at this point, covetousness? The mind is a wonderful thing, but it can also be a cesspool if we do not guard it strictly and biblically. James puts it this way, But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (James 1:14) Sin has its first stirrings in the mind, the thinking part of man. We use the term heart to speak of the seat of the will and emotions of man. It is here that grace must be operative and the Spirit of God reign lest we fall into sin.
The words of our text are a heart cry of the psalmist to be searched by the Spirit of God. Why is he asking such a thing? What has brought this to pass? It is not because David has suddenly realized some particular sin, but that sin in principle, in fact, and without victory, lives in him and will unless the Lord search his heart and show him his faults and errors. Being forced to stay home for this extended period of time, it is close to a month now for most of us, can cause bitterness, discouragement, and accusatory thoughts toward even the Lord, though most would never admit it. Instead of allowing your thoughts to rule you, you should rule them. Ask the Lord to visit you and strengthen your soul and spirit. Call on Him in a more intense way than ever before. You will not wear out your welcome. Tell the Lord the fears and misgivings you have. David laid out his complaint before the Lord. Psalm 102:1 ¶ <<A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD.>> Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. Psalm 142:2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. (Both of these psalms would reward your reading of them.) You have the biblical example of David crying unto God. No doubt Paul did the same as we read that he besought the Lord three times to remove the “thorn in his flesh.” Be honest before the Lord, let Him examine your thoughts, and let Him show you what needs to be thrown out, what forgiveness you must grant for peace in your soul, and any other thing that He puts His hand on in your heart. It will be a great day for you spiritually to do so.
Pastor F. J. Weems III