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
Any offensive way?
Offensive - Strong’s Concordance Hebrew 6090: An idol (as fashioned).
Sorrow. Wicked. Pain (bodily or mental).
An idol? The hidden things of my heart fashion an idol before God?
Ultimately, it is our decision as to whether we hide our heart from the Lord (as if that is at all possible) or surrender every offensive way unto Him.
Such was my prayer just the other day. Actually, I had asked the Lord, “Why does this particular person bother me so much?” I wasn’t expecting God’s answer to reveal the hidden emotions within my own heart, for I was pointing out the flaws of another. I was surprised as to what unfolded.
The short comings of this person were glaring to me. My ongoing judgements, encapsulated by my inner unidentified pride, had caused my insight to become blurry. As I wrestled with this person’s troublesome behavior, I prayed, “Lord, search my heart.”
In that still small voice, God whispered to my heart, “You are jealous.” What? I had no idea! However, as I thought on it, what was hidden, became so evident. The image of resentment toward this individual fashioned an idolatrous stronghold of jealousy within my thoughts.
Who knows the heart, the things concealed within the depths of our inner most part? Only God. For, the heart proves dubious, misrepresenting the truth.
The heart of man is shrewd, and unsearchable; who shall know it?
Jeremiah 17:9 WYC
Deceitful above all things…
”But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.”
Jeremiah 17:10 The Message
Lord, search my heart.
As I surrendered my hidden emotions to the Lord, my unrest with this individual subsided, even though, the individual’s behavior did not change. For, the Lord dismantled the stronghold within me, bringing peace to my heart.
The thought of this person no longer provoked me to irritation, nor jealousy, for the Lord was faithful to remove the hidden thing that I had fashioned.
Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
Galatians 5:26 AMPC
When provoked, we can hide the offense within our heart, or seek the heart of God.
Hide or seek, it is a decision that can dismantle strongholds, or fashion a hidden idol.
God would say, “Don’t hide. Seek Me.”
Prayer
Father,
Search me.
Know my heart.
Test me.
Know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me.
Lead me in the way everlasting.
Expose the hidden things within me, Lord, that my heart may be right before you.
May I remain steadfast in Christ, even if the behavior of those around me does not change. Use these difficult situations to purify me, drawing me ever closer unto You.
I repent of every offensive way within me.
In Christ, I take down the idols (known and unknown to me) that I have fashioned,
and rededicate this ground to You, Lord.
No longer, do I feel the need to hide. For, I now realize, it is in seeking You that I am set free from the hidden things.
You know me!
God, You know my heart; and yet, You love me still.
AMAZING!
Amen
You shall seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 WEB
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