“Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.” (Psalm 26:2)

When David wrote this psalm, he was in a confident frame of mind. What he is asking God to do is just a bit scary, isn’t it? Surely David has searched his heart and mind beforehand and knows what is there. David is not afraid of what God would find. There was a time when that was not true. Psalm 51 is one of those times. David was a man after God’s heart, but David had some moments when soul searching would have been a negative activity.

When you can invite God to examine your heart and mind, you must be assured that things are in order. I remember in boot camp when we stood inspection fearful that something wouldn’t be right. It usually wasn’t it, and the officer would find it because that was his job. What a thrill when the officer looked up at you and said, “Good job, Airman.”

But, when God has put a newly created heart in you and taken your sins away, you can confidently pray this prayer of David. When old things are past away, and your life has been made new you know you will hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Task for Today: Live today with a new heart. If God has not given you one, then you need to go to Him and ask for one. God has promised to take away your sins and recreate you into a new person, indwelled by the Holy Spirit who will help you stay in the newness of life. The process is easy. Believe in God and Jesus to the extent that you are called to action. Then act; repent of your sins, confess His name, and be buried with Him in baptism for the forgiveness of sins. God will give you the Holy Spirit and a new heart.