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“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” — Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Have you ever wanted to keep something hidden? There’s a wide range of reasons people could want to keep their information hidden. For example, someone could want to hide an embarrassing childhood story, the details of a surprise party, or a past regret.
However, there are times when we may even try to hide things from God. It could be our fears, doubts, questions or mistakes. But hiding these things from God is not the same as keeping the secrets of a surprise party. God sees us and God knows us. There is no way for us to hide from him.
After the very first sin, Adam and Eve tried to hide, “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8). However, hiding from God is impossible. He created us and knows us better than even we do.
In Psalm 139, we see the joy and beauty in being known by God. In verse six David even writes, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” Let’s dive into what it means to be known by God so we too like David can be filled with praise and worship for God’s love for us.
In this Weekly Devotional:
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep.” — John 10:14-15 NIV
As Christians, we know Christ. John 10:14-15 compares it to the way sheep know their shepherd. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Jumping back to the Old Testament, Psalm 139:4 says, “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.” He knows our thoughts, actions, desires, hopes, words, even the little details about us down to the hairs on our heads.
He also deeply cares for us, despite knowing everything about us. Even when we were still lost in our sin and rejecting his love and word, he still died for us (Romans 5:8 NIV). He did not see our sins, faults and flaws and think we are not worth saving. Rather, he loved us even at our darkest time.
“On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.” — 1 Thessalonians 2:4 NIV
The fact that God searches and knows our heart is both beautiful and scary. He knows our actions, intentions and thoughts, which presents us with a choice. What do we want our actions to look like? Just because we are known and loved by God does not mean we should continue living in sin (Romans 6:1-2).
We should strive to live out our lives in manners that pleases him and brings glory to him. When we are struggling with this, we can always come to him in prayer and ask him to search our hearts and “lead us in the way everlasting,” (Psalm 139:24 NIV). He is faithful to help us and wants us to have mature Christian walks.
Through him, we can live a life pleasing God, our Lord Jesus, one that honors and glorifies him. Our hearts should reflect this. We cannot hide anything from him, but when we live a life that strives to follow his word, why would we want to? We, like David, can celebrate in the wonderful knowledge that God knows us.
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” — Psalm 19:14 NIV
Are you interested in pursuing a theology or ministry degree? Grand Canyon University (GCU) has a gospel-centered, church-focused and missions-oriented College of Theology which offers a variety of degree programs that can help you achieve your goals.
Immerse yourself in biblical teachings through our Weekly Devotionals, such as, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts," (Psalm 139:23). Let us guide you on a journey of spiritual growth.
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Approved by the local outreach coordinator of the Office of Spiritual Life on April 5, 2023
