Search me and Know me
It was Saturday morning as Jake, an avid hunter, woke up
ready to go bag the first deer of the season. He walked down
to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee, and to his surprise
he found his wife, Alice, sitting there, fully dressed in
camouflage.
Jake asked her, "What are you up to?"
Alice smiled. "I'm going hunting with you!" Jake had many
reservations about this, but reluctantly decided to take her
along.
When they arrived at the hunting site, Jake set his wife
safely up in the tree stand and told her, "If you see a
deer, take careful aim and I'll come running back as soon as
I hear the shot." He walked away with a smile on his face
knowing that Alice couldn't bag an elephant, much less a
deer.
However, within ten minutes, Jake was startled as he heard
an array of gunshots. Quickly, Jake ran back. As he got
closer to her stand, he heard Alice screaming: "Get away
from my deer!"
Confused, Jake raced faster towards his screaming wife. And
again he heard her yell, "Get away from my deer!" followed
by another volley of gunfire!
Now within sight of where he had left his wife, Jake was
surprised to see a cowboy, with his hands high in the air.
The cowboy, obviously distraught, said, "Okay, lady,
okay!!!! You can have your deer!!! Just let me get my saddle
off it!"
I suppose we've all done some pretty stupid things in our
lifetime. I'd like to share with you some of the most stupid
mistakes I've ever made but unfortunately, time and space
does not permit! :-)
I can tell you that when I do something stupid, I don't want
anyone else to find out about it. In fact, I will go to
great lengths to make sure that no one learns about it. I
don't want the embarrassment of ridicule. I don't want to
hear, "I told you so!" or "You should have known better!" or
"What were you thinking?!" So I'm reluctant to share my
shortcomings.
That's why there's a passage in Psalm 139 which is a bit
perplexing:
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my
anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and
lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)
Do you see what David is doing? He is inviting God to take a
look at his heart and find all the stupid things that are
hidden there. Why would he invite God to do that?
I can only think of one reason. David had an absolute trust
in God. He knew that God loved him. He knew that instead of
ridiculing him or berating him upon finding fault, God would
do everything in His power to help David to find restoration
and peace of mind. David had the utmost confidence in God.
How I desire that in my life!
"Father, I know that you are aware of everything in my life,
both good and bad. I know that I can't hide from you, but I
confess that I often desire to do so. I want a faith that
can be as open and honest as David was. Reluctantly, I
invite you into my heart. Show me my shortcomings, and lead
me in your paths of righteousness. In Jesus' name, amen."
Have a great day!
Alan Smith alan.smith@whcoc.com