SEARCH ME, O GOD

SEARCH ME, O GOD
Psalm 139.1
“O Lord, you have searched me and known me!”

The psalm begins with a robust declaration and ends with a humble plea. Here, David, called a man after God’s own heart, lays his heart bare before the LORD. He cannot do otherwise since nothing can be hidden from God. How do I feel when I come before someone who knows everything about me? How does David feel?

Firstly, he marvels, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.” (v.5) How marvellous! God knows where I am and what I am doing. He even knows the thoughts in my mind before they become words in my mouth. I remember when I first used GPS when driving. A voice prompted me at every junction, “Turn left” or “Turn right” which surprised my wife. “How does he know where we are?” she asked. If technology amazes us, God astounds us even more. 

Secondly, he revels, “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!” (v.17) How delightful! God needs no night vision goggles; he sees through the dark as clearly as he sees in the light. Even in the darkness of the womb, God is already there, sculpting every bone, every muscle, every nerve, into who I am. Scientific research continues to discover what God already knows: our genetic code, the human genome, and our DNA’s double helix. Every bit of the gigabits of information is already known to God! 

Finally, he surrenders, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts.” (v.23) How liberating! David has had a fair share of wicked people out to harm him. He cries to God. “Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? I hate them with complete hatred….” (vv.21-22) Strong words, but he knows he is not perfect either. So he submits himself to God’s scrutiny, to weed out any “offensive way” (v.24, NIV) in him. 

Being thoroughly and intimately known provokes fear. Fear of the unhealthy kind comes with shame and an instinct to hide. However, fear of the healthy kind comes with wonder, and a desire to worship. One runs from God; the other runs to God. David exclaims, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (v.14), and falls before the Lord, with nothing to hide. He is absolutely safe and secure with the God who sees all and knows all. 

Absolutely secure with nothing to hide