Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalm 139:23 NIV
Being Searched
Last April, the federal government quietly updated its online travel advice to remind Canadians to “expect scrutiny” from border patrol officers if they travel to the United States. A website with official advice for travellers heading south was updated with a paragraph about the “significant” discretion officers have when it comes to deciding who enters their country — including the power to search phones and laptops. “U.S. authorities strictly enforce entry requirements. Expect scrutiny at ports of entry, including of electronic devices” the website now reads.
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We don’t like being searched when we cross the border. Even if we have no reason to be nervous, we are. Even though the border agents have a legal right to search us, we feel violated. If this is the case in a very real human situation, it can also be the case in the spiritual. We know that our God knows everything about us. He knows our hearts and wants to purify them so that they can stand clean before Him. This is why King David writes this, in Psalm 139:23: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” God already knows what’s in our hearts. But when we pray, as David did, that God would search and know us, we are inviting Him to carefully go through our hearts and souls, bringing to light all that is hidden deep within us. Often, there are things there that no one else knows about – hidden things. How wonderful to have our loving Saviour go through our lives and burn away all the sin and guilt so that we can walk in true freedom and holiness.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley