'Cries of the Heart: The Cry of "Search Me!" (Psalm 139)' by Mal Calladine - September 13 2020
Are you anxious about what to do in life? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at a worship Psalm where the writer's main concern isn't to work out their activity but bond in their being with God. We can generate needless stress for ourselves by focusing on working to please people, or God, instead of being strengthened through healthy relationships. Can letting God search, test and shape our character relieve us of stress as well as guiding what we do?
life application
The cry to ‘Search Me’ is important because in these times of pressure we need to press into our inner journey all the more; not default only to the re-active busyness of our outer journey, without investing in the connection that sets us in the right direction.
We need to remind ourselves that our relationship of being ‘known’ with God and by God needs to be the foundation of any effective actions or responses we make in these challenging times.
Scriptures referenced in the Talk
Psalm 139: v1,23 - You have searched me before; now search me again !
Psalm 139: v 1-6 & 13-18 - A meditation video
Psalm 139: v23-24 - The 4 Questions to ask, when asking God to search us
Luke 15: 11-31 - ‘The Story of the 2 Sons… “
1 John 4: 18 - ‘Perfect love drives out fear, because fear is to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.’
Discussion questions
What do you think God is highlighting to you, as you become aware of His prompting and ask Him to search you?
Out of 10, how would you score your inner journey with God at the moment? And how you score your outer journey serving God at the moment? Which number is higher? What does that speak to you about your current faith walk?
Try the ‘Search Me’ Prayer Process from vv23-24: “Search me… Test me… See me… Lead me…”
Search me… tell the Lord ‘How’s my heart…’ What are you feeling and thinking at the moment? What are you carrying and pre-occupied with? What are you encouraged and discouraged by?
Test me… give to the Lord your anxious thoughts and places of fear. Where do you feel challenged to trust? Speak out 1 John 4:18 and receive his all-consuming love to cover those areas declared
See me… ask the Lord to show you if there is any area He wants to highlight as an ‘offensive way’. Any area that you recognise as your ‘false self’ that operates differently from how you know Jesus want you to live. Acknowledge what you have done; consider and name the Impact your actions may have had; Ask forgiveness; and Re-commit to living into your true self. This process may need to be done with another person as well as the Lord if your actions have affected them directly.
Lead me… finally ask for the Lord’s guiding hand to lead you in His ways; to live into the areas you have brought to Him as him, as he ‘searched’ you.
Was the Holy Spirit showing you anything else particularly during the talk?