"God, see what is in my heart'

Greetings:
On this mid-week morning let us be thankful and praise God for another day to walk and talk and enjoy the wonderful things of life.
God is merciful and good, even though we truly don't deserve it.
As we begin this 40 day vigil toward Easter Sunday and the celebration of the great resurrection –– known as Lent –– let us be in prayer and ask God for a greater understanding of what it all means.
Show us God how to walk on the right path and make the decisions that are pleasing to you.
I was guided to Psalms 139 and 140 this morning in my quiet time and the words seemed to jump off the page and spoke to me loudly.
There are times that we, like King David, are troubled and it seems the whole world and everyone in it have turned against us. They talk about us. They plot evil against us. They want to see us fall. They set hidden traps along the way for us to trip up and fail.
But through it all, God is with us.
Each day let us examine our hearts and cast out all that is not of God. Let's put our selfish nature aside and focus on those things that are pleasing in the sight of God.
During this Lenten season, let us learn to walk closer with God with our eyes on the cross and the perfect sacrifice of his son, Jesus Christ. Let us daily mediate on what the shed blood of Jesus signifies and how it has changed the lives of believers in terms of healing, deliverance and salvation.
In Psalm 139:23 (New International Readers Version), we read: “God, see what is in my heart. Know what is there. Put me to test. Know what I am thinking. See if there is anything in my life you don't like. Help me live in a way that is always right.”
That's a beautiful lament and prayer for each of us to consider each day. Invite God to examine our actions and our thoughts.
Do we miss it and mess up at times? Yes, we do, but God is there in those times of shortcomings to lift us, guide us and help us to make right out of a wrong situation if we heed to the instruction of his Word, repent and then move on.
Too many time, we like to linger around and beat ourselves up for the days when we've missed it, instead of looking ahead to what God has in store for us.
In Psalm 140:6 (NIV) we read another gem that spoke to me. There are many times when we don't have it figured and struggle to hear God.
The passage states: “Lord I say to you, 'You are my God'. Lord hear my cry for favor'.”
How many of us really realize that God's people get favor in ways we don't understand and never will, but it happens?
The ways of God are amazing to me. We have to remain steadfast to his Word. Be watchful and confident in our prayers and be very thankful in all things, all situations and all conditions.
We are never alone, even when it feels like it. God's Word says he's there with us. All we have to do is trust him and walk in faith.
Be blessed.
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