“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.” Psalm 139:1-6 NIV

Some time back there was a questionnaire circulating the internet regarding “How Well Do You Know Me.” It included queries such as: 1) What color is my hair/eyes 2) What is my middle name and 3) What is my favorite color 4) What is my favorite food. You get the idea. I sent this out to several people and was quite entertained by some of the responses I received. It turned out they did not know me very well at all.

This is not true with God. He has perfect knowledge of me, knowing all my motions; when I sit down to rest, when I arise in the morning. Already He knows what temperament I have suited up with. Before a word is on my tongue, whether it is in vain or a good word He knows what it meant and from where the thought process came. God knows the disposition I have with family, toward friends and neighbors. He knows my thoughts of which nothing is quicker. My thoughts are unknown to others; not so with God, for my thoughts are words to Him. Wherever I am, I am under the eye and hand of God. What a security blanket that is!

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

Here, I believe King David is appealing to God concerning his sincerity. He is asking God to reveal to him if he has wrong thoughts or behavior. David wants to know if he is subconsciously harboring any ill will, begging to know the worst of himself. If there is any corruptness left within, he begs it to be rooted out. He prays to be led in the way of godliness.

“…godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8b NIV

Charles Spurgeon wrote in a sermon dated 1888, “Godliness is a life-long business. The working out of the salvation that the Lord, himself, works in you is not a matter of certain hours, or of a limited period in life. Salvation is unfolded throughout our entire sojourn here.”

LORD, lead me in the way of godliness. Remove any unknown ill will that may be hiding deep within my heart. Keep me focused on being, thinking, saying, feeling and doing in ways that are pleasing to YOU. In JESUS name I pray, Amen.