"Daily Examinations"

By: Zach Wood

Psalm 26:2

Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.

 

 

A couple of months ago, I ended up having to go to the doctor to get my ear examined because of some pain I was having.  My wife had suffered a cold off and on for about a month, I got it from her and then my head started getting so congested that my right ear right side of my head sounded muffled when I talked.  The night before I went to the doctor, an excruciating pain developed as I was going to bed.  I kept complaining to my wife that the pain in my ear was getting worse.  I remember I had pain in my ear as a child, but not since then.  Most of the night, I did not sleep well and decided to call the doctor in the morning.  I went in, pretty sure he would find an ear infection.  And....He did!  I was expecting him to examine my ear and find an ear infection.  I was not surprised and knew he would give me medicine to clear it up.  I ended up staying home from work for 2 days because of the pain and the way I felt when I got up and moved around.  The doctor examined me, gave me medicine, but the pain took time to go away.  There was no immediate departure.  I wish there would have been so the pain would have stopped sooner, but that's not how it works. 

 

I honestly do not enjoy going to the doctor.  I don't want them examining me and telling me what is wrong with my body.  I want to be completely healthy and not have problems inside of my body.  Don't we all feel that way?  Of course!  None of us enjoy going to the doctor.  Sometimes, we know what he or she might or will find.  Other times, we're not so sure, and that can truly give us a scare.  The doctor examines us, tells us what's wrong, and treats us so that we can get better.  Examinations are not fun, but they are crucial to living a healthy life.  Doctors help us stay healthy.  If we don't follow their instructions, dangerous things can happen to us. 

 

God examines us as well.  It's not really much fun because we are all sinners.  God looks into our hearts and sees unhealthy things living inside: lust, envy, jealousy, hatred, greed.  When we come to God and ask to Him to help us live better lives, He will open our eyes to the things we need to change and get rid of in order to live holy lives.  I'm sure most of us would be totally embarrassed and humiliated if the filth in our hearts were to be posted to a billboard displayed for all people to see.  We'd probably want to crawl into a hole and never come out!  I know I would.  I want God to examine my heart and show me the things I need to rid of so that I can live more holy for Him.  It's not fun, but I need to be cleaned out sometimes.  I'm a sinner who sometimes does dumb things, says dumb things and thinks unwholesome thoughts.  That's not the mindset God desires for me and He certainly does not desire that for you either. 

 

If a doctor gives you medicine, you either take it and get better, or you don't take it and get worse.  It's the same with God's examinations and prescriptions for our hearts.  He examines us and shows us how we need to live better for Him in His Kingdom.  If we don't obey Him and follow His instructions for Holiness, we'll wind up digging deeper and deeper into the darkness of the world. 

 

We need to allow God to examine our hearts and minds today and everyday.  We need to rid of the junk that keeps us from having a totally fulfilling relationship with Him.  Just like an office doctor, the Great Physician can help us live a better and purer life.