by Psalm 139:23-24 gives us the answer to having victory over sin. David starts this Psalm reminded that God knows everything about him (139:1-6). He is then reminded that God goes everywhere with him (139:7-12). He is overwhelmed by these, by God’s marvelous presence in the depth of his body, mind and soul (139:13-18). He then sees how sinfully wretched his world is and how much it turns his stomach (139:19-22). Then he turns to look at himself and pleads that God ensures he does not become like the wicked world around him (139:23-24).
In these last two verses of this Psalm, David gives us a formula for victory over our sins:
- Step #1 – Search Me, O God – Be willing to say, “Search me, O God, and know my heart” to a God that already knows our heart
- Step #2 – Try Me, O God – Be willing to say, “try me, and know my thoughts” to a God that already knows our thoughts
- Step #3 – See Me, O God – Be willing to say, “see if there be any wicked way in me” to a God that already knows our deepest and darkest secrets
- Step #4 – Lead Me, O God – Be willing to say, “lead me in the way everlasting” to a God that already knows our sinful directions?
Are you willing to ask God to put your life under a microscope, that you can be cleansed to walk in fellowship with Him? The microscope may be a scary thought, but remember, we are no different than David. God already knows everything about us and is everywhere with us in this wretched world. When we look at the wicked world around us, are we broken like David, seeing ourselves just as sinfully wretched, in need of cleansing that only God can bring?
When God reveals the dark corners and secret sins we let slip away from our repentance, we must do our part to scripturally apply what God has revealed to us and (re)fortify the gates of our heart. Understand, Satan cannot possess a believer, but he can gain control of our heart through our mouth, our hands and our feet. By controlling these, Proverbs 4:23-27 tells us that we can “keep thy heart with all diligence.”
Let God’s microscope search you, try you, see you and lead you in the way everlasting today!
Pastor Howell
