Summary: Self-examination is crucial.

SEARCH ME

Psalms 139:23,24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

I. THE PERSON WHO PRAYED.

A. WAS A SENSIBLE MAN.

1. God knew his every movement.

“Thou knowest my downsitting and mine

uprising” (Psalms 139:2)

A. Every single step.

B. Every single statement.

“For there is not a word in my tongue,

but, lo, O LORD,thou knowest it

altogether.” (Psalms 139:4)

1. Every idle word.

2. Every injurious word.

2. God knew his every motive.

“Thou understandest my thought afar off.”

(Psalms 139:2)

B. WAS A SINCERE MAN.

1. He was no hypocrite.

A. He knew death does not hide us from God.

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. (Psalms 139:7-8 KJV)

B. He knew distance does not hide us from

God.

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. (Psalms 139:9-10 KJV)

C. He knew darkness does not hide us from

God.

If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. (Psalms 139:11-12 KJV)

2. He was very honest.

II. THE PRAYER THAT HE PRAYS.

A. SELF-EXAMINATION IS NEVER EASY.

B. SELF-EXAMINATION IS ESSENTIAL.

1. Looking inward requires honesty.

A. Have you been too lenient?

B. Have you been too lax?

C. Have you been too lazy?

2. Looking upward reveals hope.