October 22
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SEARCH ANY HURTFUL WAY IN ME, O GOD
O that You would slay the wicked, O God;
Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed.
20 For they speak against You wickedly,
And Your enemies take Your name in vain.
21 Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
22 I hate them with the utmost hatred;
They have become my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way. -Psalm 139:19-24
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In this psalm, David declares God’s protection in verse 19. O that God would slay the wicked! Even though we can’t see what God does to protect us when we are being attacked, it doesn’t mean that He doesn’t shield us.
It is amazing how God created our bodies to be able to recognize what may mean us harm, so we can flee from it. In psychology, they call it the fight or flight response. According to and internet source, the fight-or-flight response, also known as the acute stress response, refers to a physiological reaction that occurs in the presence of something that is terrifying, either mentally or physically. The response is triggered by the release of hormones that prepare your body to either stay and deal with a threat or to run away to safety. The term ‘fight-or-flight’ represents the choices that our ancient ancestors had when faced with danger in their environment. They could either fight or flee. In either case, the physiological and psychological response to stress prepares the body to react to the danger. Psychology says that it is something in our bodies that make us recognize such danger, David says that it is God’s miracle in his creation of humanity. God has equipped us all to be able to face or avoid attacks from the enemy. Whether we recognize it or not, He has given us this ability to save ourselves from such situations.
David asks God to examine his thoughts and heart in verse 23-24. Do we invite God in our lives as he does? Do we even come to God to acknowledge Him of His gift of protection?
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REFLECTION
• How can we develop the habit of examining our hearts if we are being hurtful?