25 Prayers for 25 Years | Day 16 | Acknowledgement in Action

By: Erica Seymore
In today’s devotional, CCA North Miami’s Assistant Principal, Erica Seymore, continues our 25 Prayers for 25 Years series by highlighting David’s confession in Psalm 139 and applying it to our lives.

Scriptures:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me on the path of everlasting life.”

–Psalm 139:23-24

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 

–1 John 1:9
 

Reflection:

Why is confession crucial to drawing closer to God? As I pondered this question, other questions came to mind: What does it mean to confess? To what am I confessing? Why do I need to confess to God? And how does confession bring us closer together? 

Let us start by defining confession as the admission or acknowledgment of our sin. The Bible states in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned.” Each and every person has spoken, acted, or thought of something inappropriate, hurtful, or unkind. The psalmist, David, made that evident in the choice of language he used when addressing God in Psalm 139:23-24. 

It is there, in my reading, that my focus was drawn to the five verbs he used – search, know, test, see, and lead. David first asked God to “Search me, and know my heart.” This is a plea to examine him carefully. Much like a doctor examining a patient to find the root cause of an ailment. What would be the root cause to affect his heart? Sin. 

David recognizes that only God can understand the truth of his heart or the motives behind his actions. Therefore, he asks God to “test me and know [his] anxious thoughts.” Again, David is making a request to God to assess or confirm his loyalty. Why is that of great importance to David? He responds with “See if there is any offensive way in me.” He understands that his sin can put him out of alignment with God. 

Moreover, because David is aware of sin’s effect on his relationship with God, he asks Him to “lead [him] in the way everlasting.” David humbles himself before God because he wants God to go before him and guide him on the paths of righteousness. David has purposed in his heart to follow God wholeheartedly. The same is true of us. God wants to be in complete fellowship with us, but that cannot happen when our pride and stubbornness keeps us from admitting that we have sinned against Him. 
 
Our Heavenly Father has provided His Son as the means by which we can be saved and have our sins forgiven. How comforting it is that the Creator of the universe and the King of Kings knows us so intimately, right down to the very hairs on our head, and He still loves us so fiercely and compassionately?

Prayer:

Lord God, thank You for knowing us better than we can know ourselves. Thank You for loving us so deeply and allowing us the privilege to know You and serve You better. Help our desires to align with Your will for our lives. 

May we keep short accounts by consistently acknowledging our sins before You. And may we rely on You to guide and direct our steps in order to keep our paths straight.

 
 
Erica Seymore has been a part of CCA North Miami for two years and currently serves as their Assistant Principal. She loves serving the Lord through her church’s Children’s Ministry and Hospitality Team. Her favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11.
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