Ps 139:23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Are you ready to be searched? Are you willing to let the Spirit of God test your heart and your thoughts? How will you react if He shows you that you are living before him with anxious thoughts rather than faith filled thoughts? David lived with such honesty before God. Not perfectly, but consistently he demonstrated a pattern of returning to the Lord even after great personal failures, and laying his heart open before God to be restored to a clean conscience before Him.
One of the greatest examples of David’s life before God is reflected in how he responds after being confronted by the prophet over his sin with Bathsheba. David is rebuked, confesses his sin and then demonstrates two powerful heart responses to the Lord’s dealings. When judgment strikes in the form of his new son becoming ill and near to death David has the confidence in God to fast and pray for mercy for the child. He does not let the knowledge of His personal failure heap condemnation upon him. After confessing, he is confident to come to the Lord with fasting and prayer on behalf of his son. The second powerful example of David’s response to the Lord is how he receives the Lord’s “NO.” David has repented, sought the Lord’s mercy with fasting and prayer and still the child dies. In the midst of this tragedy David does not fall into bitterness or self-pity. He does not listen to any condemning voice blaming himself for these events.
Look for a moment at David’s response to this event. 2 Sam 12:19-20 “David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. "Is the child dead?" he asked. "Yes," they replied, "he is dead." 20 Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped.” David presses in until the outcome is final but then he is able to surrender his sorrow to the Lord and return immediately to humble place of surrender in worship!
David lived in the sure knowledge that there is a way that leads to life and that way is the Lord’s way. David lived confident in the Lord’s goodness and surrendered to the work of the Holy Spirit to purify his heart and guide him into the ways of life. Offer yourself to God’s searching presence today without fear and know that He will direct your heart into paths of life through the refining of His gaze. Open yourself to the Lord and you will find a deep work taking place that leads you into rest and peace.
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