Search Me O God

Psalm 139:17-24

Do you ever pray dangerously? Today’s devotion on prayer is going to separate the men from the boys, the steers from the bulls, and the heifer’s from the cows. I had to throw in a feminine metaphor, even though I know women don’t like to be called cattle. Praying dangerously is not for the faint of heart. It’s for people that dare to go deeper in their walk with God. So if you thought you could get away with simple mealtime, bedtime, business as usual prayers, Surprise! There’s more. Instead of dog paddling through the shallows of life, we’re going to take a plunge in the deep end. I’m going to talk to you about praying dangerously. The reason for what I am doing is this; the Christian life is not about playing it safe, it’s about living life on the edge. It’s about taking a leap of faith even when there’s no safety net in place.

What are dangerous prayers? Does is mean something really bad is going to happen if I pray like this?" NO, It doesn’t mean lightening is going to strike or the sky is going to fall. Dangerous prayers are prayers that reach the heart of God. They are dangerous because they dislodge us from our spiritual safety nets and challenge us to live beyond our comfort zone. In that sense, dangerous is not bad, but is necessary for our growth.

Let’s examine a truly dangerous prayer…

It is only a two word prayer – “SEARCH ME!” This is truly one of most dangerous prayers in scripture. It takes guts to pray this prayer. And I believe David really meant this prayer. Let me read the whole thing for you. ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious and wayward thoughts, See if there are any sinful ways and lead me out of that into the everlasting way." Ps. 139:23-24

I want to help you identify with this point by using a flashlight. Now this flashlight was bought to take on a missionary trip to Africa. I’ve used it at Church, and at home, sometimes to work on the car. A flashlight is primarily used to help us find things in the dark. We need a flashlight to help expose whatever it is we are looking for. When we go to Africa, I keep this thing by my bed in the hut, so when I get up in the middle of the night, I can click it on and find my shoes. I need the flashlight to light the way to the outhouse. I’m mean, it is dark in the bush of Africa. Without a flashlight I would be stumbling around in the dark. A flashlight there is a life necessity. Speaking of light…

Q: How many lawyers does it take to change a light bulb? A: How many can you afford? Q: How many evolutionists does it take to change a light bulb? A: Just one but it will take a million years. Q: How many Psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? A: Only one, but the bulb has got to really WANT to change. Q: How many ‘Real Men’ does it take to change a light bulb? A: None: ‘Real Men’ aren’t afraid of the dark. Q: How many ‘Real Women’ does it take to change a light bulb? A: None: A ‘Real Woman’ would have plenty of real men around to do it. Q: How many Harvard grads does it take to screw in a light bulb? A: Just one. He grabs the bulb and waits for the world to revolve around him. Q: How many bureaucrats does it take to screw in a light bulb? A: 45. One to change the bulb, and 44 to do the paperwork. Q: How many mystery writers does it take to screw in a light bulb? A: Two, one to screw it almost all the way in and the other to give it a surprising twist at the end.

Now here’s the spiritual application. When we pray, Lord, SEARCH ME. We’re praying for the God of heaven to flash the light of His brilliant holiness into the inner recesses of our soul and expose whatever’s in there. We’re saying God, "Shine the spotlight of your Grace into my life, and if there’s anything in there that shouldn’t be in there, expose it." If there’s a pocket of resistance, a stubborn way, or a sinful habit. Expose it with your light and get it out in the open.

That’s what David prayed, and you and I can pray that way too. Consider the context of His prayer. At the time, he (David) is struggling with a personal hatred of injustice. (vs. 19-22…) He is pleading with God for action to be taken upon the wicked. Was David’s hatred too strong? Did he overstep human boundaries? Ultimately, only God can determine that. What’s even more interesting is the fact that David was really caught up in his wonder and amazement of God. This happened to a time in David’s life when he was unusually close to God. And He starts off the prayer by reflecting on the greatness and grandeur of God. He says, "You know everything, when I sit, when I rise, you know my thoughts, my ways, my words, you know everything about me." Vs.1ff. David was momentarily in awe of God’s ever presence in His life. A little bit later he begins to praise God for being at all places at all times, he says, "Where can I go from your Spirit, where can I flee from your presence, If I go up to the heavens, you are there, if I do down to the depths you are there, if I rise on the wings or settle on the far side of the sea, you are there…" Vs. 7,-8

You see, David was convinced that nothing could be hid from God. He was compelled with the sovereignty of the Lord. He was very aware that all things are known by the creator. Therefore, he humbles himself before the Lord in prayer and acknowledges the obvious. Lord, SEARCH ME he prays. What courage, David had! David was willing to risk being called to the carpet for hatred and bitterness. He was not self-conscious about being cornered for doing or saying something he shouldn’t. In this painful moment of truth; he gives God permission to come into his life and take full inventory of what’s going on. The scripture warns us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. I found a little poem about that. It says, I dreamed death came the other night- And heaven’s gate swung wide. -With kindly grace an angel fair - Ushered me inside.- And there, to my astonishment - Stood folks I’d known on earth.- Some I’d judged and labeled as “Unfit”, or “Of little worth”. Indignant words rose to my lips, - But never were set free - For every face showed stunned surprise – For no one expected me!

So let me ask you, when was the last time you prayed a ‘search me’ prayer? When was the last time you ask God to expose your life, and know your heart? Now, I’m warning you, the ‘search me’ prayer is radical. It just might be that God reveals something you will have to deal with. But you can count on it, if God reveals something impure or unholy in your life, then He’s also going to give you the Grace to deal with it. And where there’s Grace, there’s also redemption. The ‘search me’ prayer is not game of ‘gotcha.’ The purpose of ‘search me’ praying is redemption! So, the next time you grab a flashlight remember the power of light in the midst of darkness. And remember the prayer that goes along with it: SEARCH ME!