Only God … But Invitation Only
May 22, 2025
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
You get it, don’t you? Guarding your heart is absolutely critical to thriving in life and relationships. It’s vital to your relationship with God and every other relationship that makes life worth living, full and abundant.
Jeremiah got it. But he also understood the shape of the human heart. He said, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” Jeremiah 17:9 NLT
Yikes! Seriously? That is what I am supposed to carefully guard? If you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s a reasonable response. We can’t manage our hearts on our own. David knew it, but he also knew that the way to thrive is to partner with God. He knows how to work with the hearts He made and loves, and He will willingly and lovingly work with us.
Just one thing. He will not do it against your will. Sometimes we adopt the attitude that it’s God’s responsibility to make it happen. “If You wants that, then just make me do it.” He will never do that. God will be your leader and guide, He will be everything you need Him to be, but He will only do it by invitation.
David’s prayer shows us clearly how to begin a partnership with God to guard our hearts:
Ask God to search your heart and know you intimately. Of course, He DOES know you intimately, but it is not good if it’s not a two-way knowing. Give Him time and space to settle into a conversation with you about what’s on and in your mind. Let Him bring to the surface of your mind/heart the anxious, troubled thoughts there.
Give Him your trusting blessing to point out anything He sees that does not measure up to the way He knows you need to live. Again, no blaming or excusing. Just let what God points out to you in your mind settle in. Consider openly how anything that He sees needs to go is seen by and hurting others as well. He loves you and is pointing out things that will maim you and keep you from health.
Follow His lead. Step by step let go of everything that He says doesn’t belong in your heart and life. Pick up everything He says needs to be part of your life and obedience. Trust Him. It may be a challenge at first, but He is leading you in the path of true life.
- Pray David’s prayer every day for a week. Sit with God for five minutes in silence after you pray and listen for what He brings to mind. He will help your heart.