The Courage to Surrender

Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

"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."

These verses are two of my favorite.   How much courage does it take to ask God to search us?  The writer was opening his life to God - every part of his life.  He asked for God to know his heart.  To know your heart means to ask God to unveil your passions, dreams, and motives.  All this is good but the writer takes another step.  He asks God to test him.

That's right - test him.  If our passions and convictions are aligned with God, then we will be strengthened in the test.  That strength from God helps to wash away all anxiety.   But the writer goes one more step. 

The writer asks God to help him relinquish anything that offends God. There are things in our secret lives that we need God to help us remove.  Jesus died to give us the strength and sent the Holy Spirit to give us guidance.   If you need help seek God, surrender to the Spirit,  and find an accountability partner.  Our secret lives could be standing between us and eternity.  

Pray these verses today.   You may be surprised by the outcome.