Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! Psalm 139:23
There is an image in my head of what I look like. Yet when I encounter a photo I can be shocked at how different it seems from my mental picture. Somehow I don’t quite live up to my own imagination. I tend to give myself the benefit of the doubt and overlook some flaws. I’m shocked sometimes when I see myself as I am.
I have the same perspective when I look at my heart, who I am and the status of my character. It’s easy to overlook my sin, justifying it, and to give myself the benefit of the doubt. The Bible says that my heart is deceptive and that’s why I need God to search it for me. He can show me where I need to repent and where He needs to heal and restore.
I’m grateful for those in my life who speak honestly to me about what they see and work with me to my benefit. And more so for a God who knows me perfectly and who gently chisels me into His image.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
