What is the first thing you do when you get in a car? Check your mirrors…rearview mirror and both side mirrors. Why? Because we want to make sure that we see behind and around the vehicle correctly. Some of you have fancy new cars with cameras and sensors, but you still rely on the tired and true method of checking your mirrors when attempting to back up or change lanes. Why do we do this in a car, truck, or SUV? Because we know that they have blind spots and that things can be hidden in those blind spots that would cause an accident. To me, that is what Psalm 139:23-24 is to the Christ-follower…it is our rearview mirror or side mirrors that keep us from having an accident. The truth be told, all of us have blind spots, but most of us do not think we have any blind spots. Today, I want us to take a hard look at two simple yet challenging verses that some theologians call the “the most needed prayers in all the Bible.”
In Psalm 139:23-24 (32 words, 152 characters), we find what I like to call the Blind Spot Revealer Prayer. This prayer cuts through the typical “Christian sayings” and makes some simple yet challenging requests.
“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.” (NLT)
The aim/goal of this devotion is to show each of us that we need to be both vulnerable and unafraid to go before God and ask Him to show us our blind spots. In this Psalm, we see that the Psalmist-David was not afraid to ask God to show him his blind spots…in fact, he provides for us SIX Requests that we can ask the Lord when it comes to blind spots… let’s look at them…
Request #1 – The Psalmist asks God to search him. This is no regular search. This is a search that means to examine/analyze, to consider in detail in order to discover essential features or meaning. When was the last time you asked God to examine/analyze you? If we are not careful, our pride will get in the way, and we will think we are better than we indeed are.
Request #2 – The Psalmist asked God to “know” his heart. The word “know” here means…to be aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about. The Psalmist wanted God to know his heart…why? Because the heart is vital in our walk with God. We can go through the motions, but if our heart is not in it, we are just wasting our time. QUESTION, where is your heart today! What is on your heart? Are you struggling with jealousy, anger or bitterness, or some hurt? Do not continue to carry the jealousy, anger or bitterness, or hurt
Request #3 – The Psalmist asked God to “test” him. No one likes a test…do they? Well…I think we do…when we are prepared and ready. If you have studied and put in the time and reviewed the study guide, you are not afraid of the test. In fact, you are looking forward to it. Could it be that the reason that we do not like tests is that we are not ready? Are you prepared for the Lord to test you?
Request #4 – The Psalmist asked God to “know” his anxious thoughts. Do you have some troubling thoughts? Anxious thoughts literally mean troubled thoughts. If we are all honest, we have some things that trouble us. The Psalmist asked the Lord to do a new work in his life.
Request #5 – The Psalmist asked God to “point out” the wicked ways in him. The Psalmist wanted God to find the nasty ways…the disgusting acts. Let’s be honest. We all have some awful ways in us. We are fooling ourselves when we say we do not…I do! Sometimes I feel like Paul when he says in Romans 7:15 (NLT), “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”
Request #6 – The Psalmist asked God to “lead” him in God’s way. The word “lead” literally means be in charge of. The Psalmist asked what we all should ask.
The aim/goal of this devotion has been to show each of us that we need to be both vulnerable and unafraid to go before God and ask Him to show us our blind spots. In this Psalm, we see that the Psalmist-David was not afraid to ask God to show him his blind spots. David was not afraid to adjust his mirrors and look over his shoulders.
As I close, Psalm 139:23-24 shows us that we have blind spots. There is difficulty in discerning whether we have allowed any sin in us or not…whether we have missed something. A great example of assessing blind spots is found in the medical profession. Before a doctor operates on you or declares a diagnosis, they will order several tests. Remember that some of these specialists have been in school for many years. However, they will still order these tests and talk it over with their colleague before giving a final diagnosis because they understand that they have blind spots. They order those tests because they want to make sure they are not missing anything.
QUESTION: Why do we trust our thoughts and opinions rather than God?
In Psalm 139:23-24, David provided for us SIX Requests that would help us when asking the Lord to reveal our blind spots…So today, as we have looked at the Blind Spot Revealer Prayer in the Bible…what will you do with it? What difference will this scripture make in your life? Will you make this prayer your prayer?
Dr. Draper Rogers is a pastor on staff at Gardendale First Baptist Church. His devotional column appears in the Sunday Edition of The Gardendale News.
