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 — From “You Have Searched Me” to “Search Me”

Sis, I want us to notice something beautiful about Psalm 139. David begins this Psalm with a declaration: “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.” By the time we reach verse 23, David is praying, “Search me, O God, and know my heart.”

Did you catch that?

In verse 1, David acknowledges what God has already done. In verse 23, David invites God to do it again.

At the beginning of this journey, we talked about the comfort of being completely known by God. He knows when we sit down and when we get up. He understands our thoughts. He knows our words before we speak them. He knows where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going. There is nowhere we can go where His presence cannot reach us. He knew us while we were being formed, and His thoughts toward us are more numerous than the sand.

David has spent this entire Psalm describing a God who knows him completely. So why would he end by asking God to search him if God has already searched him?

Maybe because there is a difference between knowing that God knows you and willingly opening yourself to what God wants to show you.

When David says, “Search me,” he isn’t giving God information God doesn’t already have. He’s opening himself to examination. He’s saying, “God, You know me better than I know myself. Now show me what You see.”

And Sis, that takes courage.

It’s one thing to say, “God knows my heart.” We sometimes say that almost as a defense. But it’s another thing entirely to pray, “God, search my heart.” One is an acknowledgment. The other is an invitation.

David had just spent several verses talking about the wickedness he saw in other people. Yet before he finishes, he turns the mirror toward himself. Instead of ending with, “God, look at them,” he essentially says, “God, now look at me.”

That’s spiritual maturity.

After everything we’ve talked about during Challenge139—being known, loved, surrounded, created, protected, and kept on God’s mind—perhaps we’re ready for this prayer too.

Search beneath what I show everybody else. Search beneath my church face. Search beneath my “I’m fine.” Search beneath my good intentions. Search my motives, my reactions, my relationships, my private thoughts, my wounds, my attitudes, and even the things I’ve convinced myself aren’t a problem.

And then David adds something important: “Lead me in the way everlasting.”

He doesn’t simply want God to reveal something. He wants God to lead him somewhere.

That’s the goal of being searched by God. Not shame. Not condemnation. Transformation. Sound familiar.

At the beginning of Psalm 139, David could say, “God, You have searched me.”

By the end, he had grown comfortable enough with the God who knew him to say:

“God, keep searching me.” Wooooo!!!! That’s enough right there!

Journal Prompt — Am I Willing to See What God Sees?

Go back and read Psalm 139:1 and then Psalm 139:23–24.

Notice the difference:

Verse 1: “Thou hast searched me, and known me.”

Verse 23: “Search me, O God, and know my heart.”

Now ask yourself:

Am I simply comforted by the fact that God knows me, or am I willing to let Him show me what He knows about me?

Write about one area of your life that may be difficult for you to completely open before God. Then pray:

“Lord, I trust You enough to show me me.”

Today’s Challenge — From Known to Open

Challenge139 — Day 38: Search Me Again

Today, read all of Psalm 139 from beginning to end.

But this time, read it as your own journey.

When you reach verse 1, pause and say:

“God, You have searched me and known me.”

Think about everything you’ve learned throughout this Challenge139 journey about how completely God knows you.

Then continue reading.

When you reach verse 23, pause again.

This time, don’t simply read the words.

Pray them.

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

Sit quietly afterward and ask:

“Lord, what do You want me to see about myself today?”

Write down what comes to your heart, and then finish with David’s prayer:

“Lead me in the way everlasting.”

Today’s Prayer

Father, when this Psalm began, David declared that You had searched him and known him. By the end, he trusted You enough to invite You to search him again. I want that kind of relationship with You. Thank You for knowing every part of me and loving me completely. Today, I don’t want to hide behind the words, “God knows my heart.” I want to have the courage to pray, “God, search my heart.” Show me what You see. Reveal the places where I have grown, and reveal the places where I still need Your help. Examine my motives, my thoughts, my attitudes, my wounds, and my desires. If there is anything in me that is keeping me from becoming who You created me to be, show me and help me surrender it. Then, Lord, don’t leave me where You found me. Lead me in the way everlasting. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sis, Remember This…

There is a difference between saying:

“God knows my heart.”

and praying:

“God, search my heart.”

One acknowledges that He knows you.

The other says, “Lord, I trust You enough to show me what You know.”

Sis, the God who searched you in verse 1 is the same God you can invite to search you again in verse 23. You already know He sees you. The question now is: are you ready to see yourself through His eyes?