Heart

You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Psalm 17:3

During a time of what most people think of testing there is a revealing of what a person knows or does not know. People study some subject for a time and then are tested on what they have learned or to reveal what they are short in. Other types of testing, not commonly thought of, do not reveal knowledge but will reveal character traits or how a person will react in a situation.

As David calls out to God, he points out that God has tested his heart and tried him but found nothing wrong. David made it a purpose that he would not say anything that would transgress against God.

Being tested for knowledge creates a lot of anxiety for most people. They are not always sure of themselves in what they should know. Testing of character is often overlooked or ignored, but will also reveal a lot of hidden truth in a person.

It is common for many people to live and speak one way in front of one group of people, but live and speak completely differently in front of another group of people. Their character is not true at all times, and this can often be found in believers in the church, especially in what they say.

Strong believers will make a choice to watch what they say regardless of who they are around. Their words will be words that would please God at all times. Every believer needs to allow God to test them to see what they are really like. God already knows the heart but needs to have it revealed for what it is.

Each day you are among different groups of people. It may be family, friends, co-workers, or just other strangers. Examine your life and see if your words and actions are the same among all of them.

Allow God to test and examine your heart and reveal how you truly are in what you say or do. Live your life in such a way and make it your purpose to say or do nothing that will be a sin against God in private or in public.

What will the test God give you reveal?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will make it the purpose of your life to not say or do anything against God; that God will test your heart to reveal your true character; and that you will found living your whole life for God’s glory.

Picture by Luca Bravo on Unsplash

Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just; for the righteous God tests the hearts and minds. Psalm 7:9

It is common for people to have to take various types of tests throughout their lifetimes. Testing begins in school and never completely comes to an end. Most often tests are taken to know how much a person knows about some given subject or ability to do some type of task. These can be done for work or for personal needs. Outside of medical reasons, most do not think about having a test for their heart or mind.

David asks God to bring the wicked to an end and to establish the just, because God tests the hearts and minds.

Although people must take tests on a fairly regular basis, most do not like to take them. People fear failing the tests and do not want to look bad.

One type of test that people often overlook is the test that God gives concerning the heart and mind. Allowing trials and troubles to arise in the life of a believer is the most common way for God to test one’s heart and mind. The purpose of these challenges in one’s life is to see where the heart and mind are focused.

The world has a heart and mind focused on self and the here and now, not God and His kingdom, nor eternity. Believers need to be focused on what God desires first in their lives.

During a time of a testing, it will be determined who or what the believer will run to first. It will also be determined how the believer will react to the situation–whether one will get angry and sin or praise God, trusting Him in the situation.

God will have times in which He will allow a time of testing in your life. There will be difficulties that will arise to see where you stand with God and His commands.

Do not allow yourself to fall into the ways of the world of selfishness and sin, but give God praise and lean upon Him for strength and direction through the testing. Keep your heart and mind focused on who God is, what God is doing and what God can do, rather than what you can do or what the enemy can do. Pass this test with flying colors.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will trust God with all of your heart and mind; that you will pass all the tests God gives you; and that you have a heart and mind after God’s heart and mind.

Picture by Ronaldo de Oliveira under Unsplash