"Lead Me in the Way Everlasting"

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23–24)

Are we open with God? The question is not: Are we open to Him, but are we open with Him? The writer of Hebrews 4:12–13 clearly suggest that we are open to Him — and there’s nothing we can do to hide our thoughts or intentions from Him (also see Psalm 139:7–12).

Being open with God is something for which we should strive. It may not be an easy thing to accomplish, but if we desire heaven, then we are going to open our hearts, minds, and motives to Him. But how can we do this, and do this well? By examining ourselves in the light of His Word — “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). One of the opportunities we have in examining ourselves is in our participation in the Lord’s Supper, when it should be a time of personal reflection and honest appraisal with the intention of:

• understanding where we have sinned against God,
• why we desperately need the sacrifice of His Son, 
• and a thankfulness determined to please Him in our lives — “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Corinthians 11:27–29). 

It’s not that God is wanting to merely “put us in our place” — although the truth is, our deserved place is far below Him as His thoughts are ways are far superior to ours (Isaiah 55:8–9; Matthew 5:43–48). Through His Word, God is striving to elevate us through right-thinking, and therefore, right living —

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works (Titus 2:11–14).

It’s not just about knowing God’s will, but performing it to His standards (Acts 26:19–20; Romans 12:1–2; 1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Why do you call me “Lord, Lord,” and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great (Luke 6:46–49).

God seeks what is ultimately best for us (Hebrews 12:3–11). This doesn’t mean that He’s like a genie seeking to grant every wish; rather, that He is our Creator and Savior and knows what is best for us with the fullest intention being our soul’s salvation from sin! “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him” (1 Thessalonians 5:9–10; see 1 Timothy 2:1–5).

Being open with God — expressing ourselves in absolute dependence upon Him in prayer in bad times and good times — is to our eternal benefit (Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:17–18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23–24)