How to Live in the Way Everlasting

July 27, 2023 1 Comment

By Brooke Holt

“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

People often say while Satan cannot rob you of your salvation, he will do everything in his power to deter you from living into God’s purpose for your life. Perhaps this explains Paul telling Christians to put on the armor of God not just one time but daily. Just as God mercies are new every morning (see Lamentations 3:22-23), so are the temptations and distractions of your enemy.

While knowing he was anointed to be the king of Israel, David found his journey to the throne full of adversity. Nothing could undo the words spoken by the prophet Samuel or the anointing oil that was poured upon his head. King David was marked as God’s chosen king. That truth did not stop King Saul from pursuing David with the intent of killing him. As David ran and hid, he prayed and waited for God’s deliverance.

David lived with turmoil and uncertainty which is why he continually prayed for God to search him, know him, and reveal anything in his life that hindered him from holiness and from fully living into the plans and purposes of God for his life. David acknowledged that he was both the chosen king of Israel and a sinful human being. While he desired to love God with all his heart and to obey the commandments of the Lord, David often missed the mark.

Notice King David prays not with shame or fear, but with confidence and hope. Throughout Psalm 139, David marveled and delighted in God’s perfect knowledge of him and God's continual presence with him (known as God’s sovereignty and omnipresence). David looked to the Lord with love and confidence. He knew God loved him and would never leave him, so he was free to see and acknowledge his sin before the Lord.

The Lord desires this exact knowledge and experience for you! The world has twisted sin and shame to say that all is good; you are good; you have nothing inherently wrong with you. They do not want to call sin wrong, because they do want to amend their ways. Yet, only in acknowledging sin can you find healing and freedom. Sin separates you from God’s best. God will not stop loving you because of your sin, but you will miss out on the fullness of joy found when you choose to trust and obey God.

Thus, we have David’s prayer from above. Daily, the Lord would show you your sin, not to condemn, but to redirect you from darkness to light. Do you want to walk in the way everlasting with the Lord? Then open yourself before the Lord. Ask him to search you and know you, and then to reveal if there is any sin, any behavior, anything hindering you from living into his plan for your life. It is the Lord’s delight to restore you and then lead you back to his plan A for your life.

Reflection:

Take some time to pray David’s prayer today. Trust God to lovingly correct or redirect you. He longs to lead you into the fullness of life! We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Related Resource:

Follow the ancient way of the Psalms and find the life God has for you. A model for vibrant worship, the Psalms provide practical wisdom to traverse the circuitous path of life with trust and hope. Pilgrim’s Path: A Study of the Psalms traces our spiritual walk with God—from discovery and delight, through doubt and disappointment, into joyful confidence. Whether used for individual or group study, Pilgrim’s Path is for everyone who seeks to know and love God more and find life in him.