Lead Me in the Way
Date: September 22, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B - Bible Verse: "Search me, 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)
L - Listen for God's Word and pray: "Dear Lord, as I meditate on these verses, I invite Your searching presence into my heart. You know me better than I know myself, and I trust You to reveal any areas of anxiety or offense within me. Help me to face these truths with humility and a willingness to change. Lead me in the way of everlasting life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."
E - Explore the History and Meaning: These verses are from Psalm 139, which is attributed to King David. It's a powerful expression of God's intimate knowledge of His creation. David reflects on God's omniscience and omnipresence, acknowledging that there's nowhere he can go to escape God's presence. In these verses, David invites God to search his heart and thoughts. It's a plea for self-examination and divine guidance. David desires to be led in the way of everlasting life, which involves surrendering his anxieties and turning away from any offensive behavior.
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases:
"Search me, God": David acknowledges God's ability to know him deeply.
"Know my heart": David desires God to understand his innermost being.
"Anxious thoughts": David asks God to reveal and address his worries.
"Lead me in the way everlasting": David seeks God's guidance toward eternal life.
S - Summarize and Share:
When I sit back and think about these verses from Psalm 139, they resonate so deeply with my soul. They remind me of the fact that God has such a deep, intimate knowledge of us and it’s not a source of fear, but of source of comfort. Just as David invited God to search his heart, I find comfort in inviting God to do the same in my life.
Life's demands can sometimes lead to anxious thoughts and doing things we didn’t intend to do. It's easy to get caught up in the rush and forget the importance of pausing, acknowledging our vulnerabilities, and allowing God's light to shine into the hidden corners of our hearts.
As I think back on my life, I realize that the moments when I've allowed God to search my heart and reveal my anxieties have been transformative. It's in those moments of vulnerability that I've experienced the depth of His grace and guidance. He gently uncovers the roots of anxiety and redirects my steps toward the way of everlasting life.
I encourage you to take a moment today and invite God to search your heart, to examine your thoughts, and to lead you in the path of His unwavering love. Don't be afraid of what He might reveal; His purpose is always to refine and draw you closer to Him. In this process, you'll find the truest freedom and peace that can only come from walking in His way.
What's one area in your life where you'd like to invite God to search your heart today?
4 Bible Cross References:
Jeremiah 17:10 (NIV) - "I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve."
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
1 Corinthians 11:28 (NIV) - "Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup."
Psalm 26:2 (NIV) - "Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind."