"Search Me, God": The Prayer Most of Us Avoid
Drawn from the teaching of Professor Gary S. Maxey · 2 min read
David wrote one of the boldest prayers in the Bible. "Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxieties. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24).
Professor Gary Maxey calls this prayer one of the most important a believer can pray. He says David was a man after God's heart partly because he was open to this kind of illumination.
Why David needed to ask
Professor Maxey argues that David had a reason to pray this way. There were most likely things in his heart he could not see by himself. The heart is deceptive. If we are honest, a person can look at his own life for years and miss what everyone else notices.
That is where the Holy Spirit works. Professor Maxey calls his first operation in deeper sanctification illumination. The Spirit sheds light into the depths of the soul, and on God's Word and character as they relate to our need for cleansing.
What illumination looks like
Professor Maxey gives plain examples. A believer may carry a hidden spirit of jealousy or hatred toward a brother. He will suppress it, even deny it. Then the Holy Spirit may bring 1 John 3:15 home to him: anyone who hates a brother is a murderer. Another believer may never act on lust, yet the Spirit may press Matthew 5:28 on his heart.
The Spirit does not shame for sport. He shows us what is there so that God may deal with it.
Three ways to cooperate
Professor Maxey says there are three early steps. First, keep walking in obedience, with your sins forgiven. Second, listen to the Spirit when he shows you a need. Third, do not run from what comes to light. Speak the whole truth to God about it.
Why it takes humility
He warns that the flesh does not want to be seen. Once it is exposed it fights for survival. Many people do not receive deliverance because the message of it is humbling and can be costly.
Pray it this week
Choose a quiet time. Read Psalm 139 aloud. Then pray the last two verses slowly and stop. Write down what comes to mind, however small, and do not argue with it. Take each item to God by name.
Drawn from the teaching of Professor Gary S. Maxey.
