Our desires and delights direct our decisions, that why Jesus taught us to pray “lead us not into temptation…”
Scripture
Psalm 139:1-6, 23-24 A Psalm of David
1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
5 You have hedged me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Observations
- Which attribute of God does David mediate on in these first verses of Psalm 139?
- What does God know about David, as revealed in (1) verse 2, (b) verse 3, and (c) verse 4?
- What emotion does this intimate knowledge of God evoke in David’s heart?
- Thinking about God’s knowledge, what does this David ask of God? Why would he ask this? (v23-24)
Personal reflection and Application
Our desires and delights direct our decisions, and that makes us vulnerable to be led astray by temptations. God Almighty knows us intimately; he knows our location and situation, our thoughts and words, our plans and motives. And because of this David feels safe and asks God to test his heart (motives and affections) and thoughts (plans and attentions), and direct his way into God’s paths of life! About this Paul writes:
“Set your heart on things above, where Christ is… set your mind on things above…” Colossians 3:1-2
- Write down the first 5 thoughts that comes to mind. Bring these thoughts to God in prayer – bluntly tell him what is on your mind – and ask him to test and purify your thoughts. Choose which one of these are the most godly or noble, and speak to God about this thought for a while, seeing where he leads you with it.
- Write down your first 5 desires that you can identify. Bring these in prayer to God – tell him straight what you want (even if it is sinful) and then ask God to test and purify your desires. Choose the most noble or godly desire and speak to God about it; follow God’s lead in the discussion.
- In closing simply pray David’s prayer “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Shofar Durbanville Bible Studies 