The Hidden Things

Scipture:

Psalm 139:23–24 “23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

Introduction:

This morning we continue our Journey with God.

Power Principle 1: To Maximize the Journey I must Lighten the load.

This is a season of consecrartion where we set aside a thing a delcare a thing holy unto the Lord. In this season that thing is us. Paul says:

Romans 12:1–2 NKJV

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The goal is to be presentable to God. TYNS: “I want to be pleasing”. In this season I want to present myself on the altar and declare “I am available for use.” I believe that it is in this season that God is looking for those who are willing to put him first and lay it all on the line.

For a sacrifice was not just a casual encounter with a common object. It was the presentation of the best version of a thing. And in this text today we see that psalmist writing out the words “Search , O God!”

Points of Healing

1. Search Me:

Original Word: חָקַר Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: chaqar Pronunciation: khaw-kar' Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-kar') Definition: To search, to investigate, to examine, to explore Meaning: to penetrate, to examine intimatelyUsage: The Hebrew verb "chaqar" primarily means to search or investigate thoroughly. It conveys the idea of a deep and diligent examination, often used in contexts where understanding or uncovering hidden truths is necessary. This term is frequently employed in the Bible to describe the act of seeking out knowledge, wisdom, or understanding, whether it be of God's creation, His laws, or the human heart.

(Courtesy Strong’s Lexicon)

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, the pursuit of wisdom and understanding was highly valued. The act of searching or investigating was not merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual endeavor. The Hebrew people believed that understanding the world and God's laws was integral to living a righteous life. This cultural emphasis on seeking knowledge is reflected in the use of "chaqar" in the Scriptures, where it often pertains to the pursuit of divine wisdom and the examination of one's own heart and actions.

(Courtesy Strong’s Lexicon)

In other word’s I am seeking God’s divine wisdom to truly navigate the things in my heart that need to be extracted. Why do I need this:

A. I don’t know my own heart

Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV

9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

B. My Hang up are the Holdup!

Hebrews 12:1 “1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

There are things in my life lingering in my soul that are blocking me from being all that God called me to be.

2. Know Me

Original Word: יָדַע Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: yada` Pronunciation: yah-DAH Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-dah') Definition: To know, to perceive, to understand, to acknowledge Meaning: to know

(Courtesy Strong’s Lexicon)

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, knowledge was not merely intellectual but was deeply relational and experiential. The concept of "knowing" someone or something involved a holistic understanding that included emotional and spiritual dimensions. This is evident in the use of "yada" to describe the intimate relationship between a husband and wife, as well as the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

The writer is indicating that both his emotional and spiritual life are up scrutiny. To know is a holistic term. It is an intimate term indicating that a person is experienced in secret places that are not open to the public. This morning the writer is letting us know that He wants his relationship with God to deepen in a more personal. He doesn’t just want God to access the spirit but the emotional and psychological.

The Hebrews did not separate Emotions from intellect. The heart represented our constitution and our core self.

Often we try to compartmentalize what we give to God. You can save my soul but you can’t touch my disfunction. You can have my praise but you can’t touch my place of pain. There are places of trauma in our soul that we have covered in the dirt but they keep producing roots of bitterness.

Power Principle: I can’t HEAL what I HIDE.

3. Test Me

(Illuminate my thought life.)

Fasting and prayer will heighten your sense with the devine and expose those things that you have hidden from everyone including you. The writer says test me.

(Testing)

bachan: To test, examine, try, prove

Original Word: בָּחן Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: bachan Pronunciation: bah-khan' Phonetic Spelling: (baw-khan') Definition: To test, examine, try, prove Meaning: to test, to investigate

(Courtesy Strong’s Lexicon)

To test. This is pointing to a spiritual and moralistic scrutiny or examination. To show us what’s really beneath the surface and at the core. Tnis term is used for purification in metal refinery. The writer is saying: “I want to be tried by fire. I’m ready to do the work and not avoid the uncomfortable. I’m ready to grow closer to you in this season.”

Power Principle: Sometimes we don’t let the Lord grow us up because we can’t stand the heat.

(Anxiety)

Original Word: שַׂרְעַף Part of Speech: Noun Masculine Transliteration: sar`aph Pronunciation: sah-rah-feem Phonetic Spelling: (sar-af') Definition: Seraphim Meaning: cogitation

Word Origin: Derived from the Hebrew root שָׂרַף (saraph), meaning "to burn" or "to set on fire."

(Courtesy Strong’s Lexicon)

A place of burning or anxiety. Where there is no Peace. The writer is asking God to show me the “Hidden Things” Me that are taking my peace. Internal enemies are much more dangerous than external enemies.

Power Principle: Many times it is our own hearts and minds that betray us.

Proverbs 21:2 NKJV

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.

Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV

9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

Power Principle: My thought life shows the direction my life is headed. What does my path tell me about my future?

4. Show me Wickedness in me

Original Word: עֹצֶב Part of Speech: Noun Masculine Transliteration: `otseb Pronunciation: o-tseb' Phonetic Spelling: (o'-tseb) Definition: Pain, sorrow, toil, labor Meaning: an idol, pain

(Courtesy Strong’s Lexicon)

Usage: The Hebrew word "otseb" primarily conveys the idea of pain or sorrow, often associated with physical or emotional distress. It can also refer to the toil or labor that results in weariness or hardship. In the biblical context, "otseb" is used to describe the consequences of sin, the burdens of life, and the emotional pain experienced by individuals.

(Courtesy Strong’s Lexicon)

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, the concept of "otseb" was closely tied to the human experience of suffering and the consequences of the fall. The toil and labor associated with "otseb" reflect the curse pronounced upon humanity in Genesis, where work became burdensome and life was marked by sorrow. This understanding of pain and toil was integral to the Israelites' worldview, shaping their relationship with God and their understanding of redemption and restoration.

(Courtesy Strong’s Lexicon)

In this instance wicked isn’t what we would normally prescribe it. Wickedness could be viewed as the emotional pain and toil from the consequences of sin. Because we live in a n imperfect world, we are constantly injured by and injuring with sin. The effects of that sin, (verbal, physical abuse, abandonment, creation of insecurities can hold us captive) We must:

Allow God to take us to this painful place

Acknowledge the pain and the damage done

Release and allow the Lord to Heal. “The bone must be reset.”

‌5. Show Me a way out!

Lead me in life everlasting…

Original Word: נָחָה Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: nachah Pronunciation: naw-khaw' Phonetic Spelling: (naw-khaw') Definition: To lead, guide, direct Meaning: to guide, to transport

(Courtesy Strong’s Lexicon)

The writer is submitting to a sense of Devine leading. It indicates that through relationship, God guides literally and figuratively his people. If we are going to operate at maximum level the Lord has for us we must submit to His leading. The Holy Spirit and Holy Scriptures must govern our lives.

Conclusion:

We are on a Journey form. To gain more, we must enter a place of vulnerability and openess to allow God to refine us like pure Gold.

Job 23:10 NKJV

10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.