“Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my heart and my mind. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked faithfully in Your truth.” Psalm 26:2–3 AMP

If ever a dangerous prayer was prayed, this is it.

The word “examine” carries the idea of a legal investigation—a thorough testing where the truth is revealed and judgment is justified. David is essentially placing himself on trial before God. Not before others, not for appearance, but before God—and his own conscience. That is a bold place to stand.

I’m not sure many of us would willingly take that same position. And this is where grace begins to shine. God knows our weakness. Even when we desire to do what is right, we often find ourselves struggling against our own nature. The Apostle Paul described this tension clearly:

“We know that the Law is spiritual, but I am a creature of the flesh, worldly, self-reliant–carnal and unspiritual, sold into slavery to sin and serving under its control. 15For I do not understand my own actions I am baffled and bewildered by them. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness–my sinful capacity.” Romans 7:14-15 AMP

This is the reality of the human condition. But God does not meet us with condemnation, He meets us with grace. Through Christ, our sin has been paid for. Not ignored, not excused but fully dealt with at the cross. the fact that one of the stripes Jesus received belonged to you! The Scripture tells us, “that for the joy set before Him He endured the cross.” Where was the joy in the beating, mockery, scorn, embarrassment and separation from His Father?  You! You were that which He can to seek what was lost. The promise now is that,

looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work. Hebrews 12:2 AMP

That joy was not found in the suffering itself; it was found in what His sacrifice would accomplish. You were the reason He endured it. Because of this, we now have the promise:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us… and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 AMP

Grace does not give us permission to sin, it gives us power to turn from it. Jesus warned His disciples that temptations would come:

“Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 AMP

David understood something important. His prayer was not, “Judge my actions.”
It was, “Examine my heart.” Because he knew that deep within, he truly desired to please God—even when he lacked the strength to do so perfectly.

So where are you today?

Would you be willing to pray the same prayer? To invite God to examine your heart, your thoughts, your motives, your desires?

The truth is, He already knows.

The question is, are you willing to know Him more?

Reflection Question

What might God reveal if you truly asked Him to examine your heart today?

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Ken