Look Carefully

Years ago I was given a pencil. Written on one side of it was a quote from Socrates: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” When I asked what it meant, I was told, “Humans should look within themselves to find the true meaning of life.” Most of us do “examine” ourselves in one way or another. Often, however, it is difficult to be honest and objective, thorough and impartial. Many times we do not like what we see and gloss over our faults and failures. Sometimes when we can no longer hide a flaw, we make excuses and blame someone else for what we see and do not like. Often when we see what we do not like, we try to cover it up and hide it from others.

But we cannot hide from God. “O Lord,” the Psalmist wrote, “You have examined my heart and know everything there is about me.” If that statement were about anyone but God, most of us would be rather frightened by what someone might do with that information.

But with God, it’s different. What He knows about us can be used to our advantage to complete the purpose and plan He has for our lives. He knows when we sit down, when we stand up, what we are thinking, where we are going, when we are active, and when we are resting, even everything we are going to say before we say it. “Why” we ask?

And, the Psalmist answered it clearly and convincingly: “You go before me and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my head.” He is before us and after us to bless us!

God has no intention of gathering information about us to destroy us. He knows everything there is to know about us, yet He still accepts us and loves us. He is with us in every situation, in every trial and every triumph, every defeat and every victory.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for Your involvement in our lives. We are grateful for Your grace that guides and guards us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 139:1 O Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything there is about me.