PSALM 139:23-24

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any wicked way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

I’m sorry if this devotion starts out more secular than spiritual, but the weight of the day is upon me. On April 15, my mind goes to taxes, and the scrutiny that I put to my finances in the hopes that the IRS will not scrutinize my life any deeper. And then, as Callie and I planned to share psalm selections for Lent, I got assigned these final two verses from Psalm 139.

I have loved this psalm for years. It claims that God knows us fully, and that we cannot escape God’s loving presence. That’s a great affirmation, that God will never let us go. And it ends with a final assignment for us — open up our life’s records to God to see if there is any “wicked way” within us – so that this can be purged as we keep seeking the way everlasting.

In Lent, we do ask God to help us search our hearts, so that we can make sure we are right with God as we move through Good Friday’s cross on the way to Easter’s empty tomb. Scrutinize life to stay on track.

Prayer

Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my thoughts. Help me keep my eyes focused on Jesus as I walk the path of discipleship each day. In His precious name I pray. Amen.