The Examined Life

David begins the last section of Psalm 139 by separating himself from awful people. He says, “God, I despise your enemies. I’m not like them; I’m completely on Your side.” 

Then, in verse 23, David says, “Lord, search me and know me.” 

Let’s compare verse 1 with verse 23:

Verse 1 says, “Lord, You have searched me and know me.” That is a fact, just the way it is. 

Verse 23 is an invitation which stems from humility, “I want You to search me.”

It is exactly what happens in our lives: When we begin to understand that God is everywhere, all-knowing, all-interested, ever-present around us, that we are precious in His sight, created by Him in His image; that there is something different about us that is not in a cow, a monkey, or a dog, we understand the intrinsic value God places on us. When all of this knowledge begins to sink in, we begin to respond to the Lord with requests and respect.

Here is my request: Lord, search me and know me. Test my heart. See if there’s any anxious way in me and lead me in the path of everlasting life. I want You to speak to my heart, God. What’s in there? I can’t even rightly judge myself, Lord. Where am I off? Where are my lusts becoming something I’m trying to justify? Where are my prejudices coming out, Lord? What still needs to be crucified in me? I’m requesting that You would do that, Lord. 

Here is my respect: God, because You are a loving Father who thinks about me more than I can fathom—speak to my heart and reveal Yourself true to me. I respect Your leadership in my life. I’m going to follow You even when it’s not convenient or I don’t necessarily like it. Amen.

It is called living the examined life. He knows everything about me and He is not interested in letting my heart get away with sin. He is interested in me pursuing the dreams He has for me, as I trust that He is God. I know that He can fill my heart with praise and joy, and my mouth with laughter, as I give Him everything that is in my heart.

We adapted this plan from: Click Here