Let the Search Begin:

Many years ago, I was sitting in our little lunch area at Dillons where I worked. Suddenly, our customer service person came running through the back room shouting, “We’ve been robbed, we’ve been robbed!” The poor woman was in a panic and white as a sheet. The police were called. Before they arrived, the store manager and I jumped into his truck, and we began to drive around the neighborhood. We had his description from the cashier, and a customer pointed out the direction he went on foot. We knew he was armed. We weren’t going to try and apprehend him, only to direct the police if we spotted the guy. So, the search began. We were searching. The police were searching. It would have been great if we had some kind of special ability to read his mind and instantly know where he was. GOD knew, we didn’t. I felt confident that the LORD would deal with this dangerous thief in HIS own time and in HIS own way. Of course, I wanted to see him get his comeuppance. King Solomon declared, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Hebrews 4:13 says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” This is part of GOD’s nature. JESUS knew the heart of the ‘Rich Young Ruler’, the Pharisees, HIS own disciples and HE knows my heart as well. David was well aware of GOD’S ability when he wrote, “O LORD, you have searched me and known me!” (Psalm 139:1) Knowing this and giving in to such a search are two different things. Am I too ashamed to have GOD search my inner most thoughts? Am I so arrogant, that I think I can hide my heart from GOD’S all-knowing eyes? In the end of Psalm 139, David, simply and humbly, yields to GOD’S nature, as should we all; “Search me, O GOD, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” Let the search begin! Allowing what HE does anyway shows HIM our willing humility.

Russell Ashby