Verse 23: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!”

Welcome God in (He already knows everything about us.)

• “O Lord, you have searched me and known me!” Psalm 139:1 ESV
• “But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts?’” Matthew 9:4 ESV

Our inner thoughts and feelings matter.

• “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

Invite the benefits of God knowing all of us.

• “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8a ESV

Verse 24: “And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

“For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” Psalm 1:6 ESV

Invite God to examine your heart and change you, knowing His way is best.

“lead me” away from grievous ways = “way everlasting” (God’s way/plan)

• “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

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God’s examination of our thoughts is an internal process that yields external results.

Our hearts are internal, but affect our external behaviors. “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 ESV

“He who planed the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, doe he not see? He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge – the Lord – knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.” Psalm 94:9-11 ESV

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joint and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13 ESV

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So what does this mean for us?

God already knows us. Inviting Him to know us builds relationship with Him.

Building relationship with Him means a changed life.

So we ask ourselves. . . How does all this change me?