The Spiritual Journey 2024 - Day 23: Allow the Lord to search your heart and show you the results.

”Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?“

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭26‬-‭31‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Just a few days before falling ill with the sickness during which I would have the spiritual journey, I was talking to the Lord about some physical issues I have that definitely have a genetic component. I was saying to the Lord that I desired that He would “scan” my genetic code, and remove all predispositions and propensities that are contrary to good health.

What I had no way of knowing at that point, was that the Lord would answer my request, but according to what He wanted. In other words, during the spiritual journey, He showed me what was in my spirit that was not conducive to the fulfilling of my calling, and, what was not pleasing to Him. There was no genetic propensity, but rather a familial connection to something that was very wrong.

Many times, just as we may have no idea what is going on in our physical bodies, we may have no idea what might be secretly lurking in our spirits, in our hearts, things that must be removed.

Indeed, even people who actively commit themselves to self-reflection, are limited in their ability to rightly see themselves.

”People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.“

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Lord, speaking through Jeremiah, pointed out that the depth of deceitfulness in the human heart, was unsearchable, except by Him. And, because He does know our hearts, He can deal with us justly.

”“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”“

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Psalmist reflected that since the Lord knows the secret things of the heart, He could surely see that they had not forgotten the Lord.

”If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread our hands in prayer to foreign gods, God would surely have known it, for he knows the secrets of every heart.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭44‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ NLT

Indeed, David beseeched the Lord to search his heart, and rid him of things that could make him go astray.

”Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In our opening scripture we see Paul explaining that we have been given the Holy Spirit Who can help us in our prayers. You see, He knows our hearts as well as knowing the heart of God (He is God). As such, He can help bring us into conformity with God’s will and purposes.

Friend, don’t hesitate to ask the Lord to search your heart. Indeed, if you have the Holy Spirit of God in you, He will bring things to your attention that need to be dealt with, things that can become stumbling blocks.

Ignorance concerning these things is not bliss. Rather, leaving them undetected and/or unaddressed, leaves you open to Satan’s influence.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#thespiritualjourney2024