Challenge139 — Day 36

FILAS Women Online — Devotional for a deeper, more intimate walk with the God who knows you completely.

Today’s Scripture — Psalm 139:19–24 KJV

“Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” — Psalm 139:19–24, KJV

Devotional Reflection — Lord, Before I Look at Them, Search Me

Sis, for the past several days we have been sitting with some of the strongest words in Psalm 139. David has been talking about wickedness, people who dishonor God, and his desire to separate himself from what opposes God. He is honest about what bothers him, who bothers him, and where he stands. But then something happens that I don’t want us to miss. After David spends several verses talking about them, he turns the attention back toward himself.

He prays, “Search me, O God, and know my heart.”

Let me just ask this question, this morning, Does anybody need to be searched this morning? Not just searched by anybody, but searched by God.

That is a powerful prayer because it is always easier to see what is wrong with somebody else. We can recognize their bad attitude, their hurtful words, their questionable decisions, their hypocrisy, and everything we believe they need to change. If we’re not careful, we can spend so much time asking God to deal with other people that we never stop long enough to ask Him, “Lord, what about me?”

David had strong convictions about what he saw around him, but he was willing to acknowledge that something could also be happening within him. He essentially says, “God, while I’m looking at what is wrong out there, make sure there isn’t something wrong in here.” That’s where Challenge139 becomes very personal. This journey isn’t about becoming experts at examining everybody else’s heart. It is about becoming women who are courageous enough to place our own hearts before God.

And Sis, God already knows what He will find. Remember where this Psalm began: “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.” David isn’t asking God to discover something He doesn’t know. He is giving God permission to reveal to David what David may not recognize about himself.

Maybe there is some unforgiveness we have justified. Maybe hurt has quietly become bitterness. Maybe our boundary has turned into resentment. Maybe we’re calling something discernment when it is actually judgment. Maybe pride has slipped into an area where we believe we’re right. Maybe there is fear, jealousy, insecurity, anger, or an attitude we have become so accustomed to carrying that we no longer notice it.

That’s why David continues, “Try me, and know my thoughts.” In other words, God, go deeper. Don’t just examine what everybody can see. Examine my motives. Examine the thoughts I never say aloud. Examine why I responded that way. Examine why that person bothers me so much. Examine what I am holding onto and what I am refusing to surrender.

But I love that David doesn’t end with simply asking God to reveal what’s wrong. He says, “Lead me in the way everlasting.” The purpose of God’s examination isn’t condemnation; it is direction. God reveals so that He can lead us somewhere better. When He exposes something in our hearts, He is inviting us to surrender it and continue walking with Him.

Sis, don’t be afraid to let God search you. You are being examined by the same God who has spent this entire Psalm reminding you how completely He knows you and how faithfully He loves you. You can trust Him with what He finds.

Journal Prompt — What Do You See in Me, Lord?

Today, make this journal entry about you, not anyone else.

Read Psalm 139:19–24 again slowly, and then ask yourself: Have I been more focused lately on what needs to change in someone else than on what God may want to change in me?

Write honestly about anything God brings to your attention. Is there an attitude, thought pattern, hurt, resentment, fear, habit, relationship, or behavior that you’ve been avoiding?

Then write this prayer in your journal:

“Search me, O God. Show me what I cannot see about myself, and give me the courage to surrender whatever You reveal.”

Today’s Challenge — Search Me

Challenge139 — Day 36: Search Me, Lord

Today, spend 10 intentional minutes alone with God. No television. No scrolling. No distractions. Just you, God, His Word, and an honest heart.

Read Psalm 139:19–24 KJV slowly. When you reach verses 23–24, stop and pray those words personally:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.”

Then sit quietly for a few minutes. Don’t immediately start talking again. Give yourself time to reflect on what God may be showing you.

If something comes to mind, write it down. Don’t defend it, explain it away, or condemn yourself over it. Simply acknowledge it and pray:

“Lord, I see it. Help me with it. Now lead me in the way everlasting.”

Today’s Prayer

Father, I have spent enough time looking at what everyone else needs to change. Today, I invite You to look at me. Search my heart and examine my thoughts. Reveal the things I have hidden, justified, ignored, or simply failed to recognize. If there is bitterness in me, show me. If there is pride, resentment, unforgiveness, fear, jealousy, anger, or anything else that does not reflect You, help me surrender it. I don’t want You to simply show me what is wrong; I want You to lead me into what is right. Thank You for loving me enough to correct me, patient enough to work with me, and faithful enough to continue leading me. Search me, Lord, and lead me in the way everlasting. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sis, Remember This…

Sometimes we’re so busy asking God to deal with them that we forget to ask Him to deal with us.

God already knows what’s in your heart. The question is whether you’re willing to let Him show it to you.

Sis, pray the courageous prayer today: “Search me, O God.” What He reveals isn’t meant to shame you—it’s an invitation to let Him change you and lead you forward.