Search Me, Oh God
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Pastor Art Pena
Text: Psalm 139:23-24
My broadband internet provider gives me free security package that protects our computers and the files in them from viruses, spy ware, etc. In addition, it also provides a firewall and protection from identity theft when we email or use the internet. A key function is its constant “scanning” of the computer’s contents to see if there is any vulnerability, infection, infiltration, error, malfunction or danger.
This prayer of David to have God search his heart in Psalm 139 reminds me of that function. Today – this very moment – is just as good a time as any, to allow God to have an overall scan of the contents and intents of our hearts! We all need the Holy Spirit to be that agent that exposes, extracts and eradicates elements that are damaging to our “system”. Ahhhh! One that He readily finds and wants to expose today is bitterness!!! And that is what He wants for us to focus on today!
Do you have roots of bitterness that have infiltrated and been lodged in your “system” – your heart – for some time? Are you harboring negative feelings, animosity, or even hatred towards another person?
Perhaps someone hurt you bad somewhere along the way. You may have been sexually, physically, or verbally abused as a child or as an adult. Maybe you’ve been devastated by a rejection in a relationship or felt betrayed by someone you trusted. Perhaps there’s frustration about your situation in your studies or current career.
I know that every one of us faces hurt, frustration and rejection in life. I also know that Satan loves it when there’s a conflict that’s caused by bitterness. Why does this please him so? Because he knows that a spirit of bitterness (which stems from an offense that one takes) gives him a foothold in your life! It makes you and I unable to pray, unable to witness, and unable to serve God effectively there’s bitterness.
You say, “Art, you don’t understand how much I’ve been hurt. You don’t know how deeply I’ve been wounded. You don’t know my story.” And you know what? You’re right. I don’t.
But I do know what happened to Jesus when He was taken into the hands of cruel and violent men. Roman soldiers saw Him as nothing but a common criminal to be executed on that symbol of shame – the cross. They flogged Him until pieces of flesh came off His skin. They mocked Him with the most offensive, debilitating insults that cut a person’s spirit. They pulled out His beard, spat in His face, and then nailed Him to a cross.
Going through just one of these things would have been enough for any man to have said: “That’s it – that’s enough! You can’t do this to me and get away with it! I hate you for what you did”!
And yet Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” That’s what Christ has done for you and me! And as Christians, the Spirit of Christ lives within us, enabling us … by His power… to respond to others with forgiveness.
If you pray like David today and sincerely ask God to take away your bitterness, He will do it. He will bring you to a place in your life where His grace and peace replaces the animosity, hurt, bitterness and anger that you feel today.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Ask god to take away the bitterness in your life so you can discover the power of forgiveness
