An Examination

Psalm 26:2  “Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.”
 
“Good morning, Lord!  What can I do for You today?”

“Nothing.  I’ve already done everything.”

“But I want to honor Your name today.  I want to do something.”

“Then be honest in all you do and in all you say.”
“Yes, of course, Father.  This is my goal, for sure.”

“I know this is your goal.  I know this is your heart, and I know you feel you are honest in all things.  However, let’s take a moment together.  First, I want you to quiet your mind.  I want you to examine yourself without being fearful of what you may find.  Remember, I have taken care of everything! 

“Now, I’m going to ask you a few questions.  First, have you ever taken an honest look at honesty in your life?  Have you been entirely truthful in your words and acted accordingly at all times?  Have you honored persons or parties who you feel have failed, mistreated, or harmed you, or in self-defense of your words and consequent actions, have you slightly twisted facts or presented your side only, saying or writing things to make your case?  Do you realize that if you misrepresent facts in any way, this may cause others to make harmful judgments against other people or parties because they like you and believe in you, not taking the time to find out both sides of an issue?  Do you realize that this misrepresentation may greatly affect another person or party’s well-being which, in effect, is an actual form of revenge?”
“Well…” 

“Let’s also look at your commitments.  Keeping commitments is a form of honesty.  Have you kept all commitments to persons or parties with whom you agreed to certain terms or actions either in word or in writing?  If not, have you ever examined with an open mind what you have done that brought about results you don’t care for and for which you are defending yourself?”

“Oh no!  Father, when You put it like that…I guess…well, since You know everything, I’ll have to admit that upon occasion when a hurtful situation arises, I speak out against others.  I haven’t faced the fact that my words and actions in not keeping my word or the promises I’ve made have resulted in prescribed consequences which I knew!  I just didn’t want to accept them because I felt hurt!  Now that I’m facing this, I’m recognizing that I have sinned.” 

“Daughter, you are more than precious to me, and I have paid not only for this sin, but for all your sins, past, present, and future.”  However, I want you to remember this.  When you feel sinned against, turn to Me and be sure to go to My Word, for there you will find wisdom and comfort.  Ponder Jesus’ life and other passages in My Word that will guide you according to My will: “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.  23 He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”   1 Peter 2:21-23

“Oh, Father, thank You!  Thank you a million times over!  Know that I will place these very words—Your words— in my heart, and please know that I am so, so, so very sorry, Lord, for my sin against You but not taking into account the welfare of others.  Please forgive me, and please renew your Spirit within me so I will not sin in this way ever again!”
“Of course, Daughter, you ARE forgiven.  Now go and sin no more, being honest always, either accepting blame when due or suffering unjustly when necessary. This is how you will honor Me not only today, but each and every day of your life.”
 
VERSES:
Philippians 2:3-4  “ Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

1 Corinthians 6:7b  “Why not rather put up with injustice?  Why not rather be cheated?”

Matthew 12:36-37  ”And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

Leviticus 19:18  “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”  (As Christians, we should not seek revenge of bear grudges against fellow Christians.)
 
PRAYER:  Father God, through Your Holy Spirit, please help me think before I speak and think before I act.  Help me think not in human, worldly terms, but in accordance with Your Word in Scripture.  Guide me with Your wisdom and discernment, helping me to remember that my words and actions have enormous consequences, ones that I cannot possibly foresee.  Strengthen me so I will not react in harmful ways to others when I am hurt, and help me to accept any blame when it is due.  Help me overcome placing my welfare other that of others, for You say in Your Word that You prefer no man over another.  I must remember that You not only love me, but love them as well, desiring the welfare of all. 
 
Father, self-examination can be painful, but I thank You that You discipline and teach me through this.  May I act in obedience to Your Word, and may I honor You always in my words and actions.  Amen.
 
DISCLAIMER:  I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since.  How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn’t know who He is?!


These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ to grow in your heart relationship with Him.  However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other “teachers,” with God’s Holy Word.  Therein lies the source of all truth!