Let me ask you something, have you ever looked under a couch or under a bed and notice the filth that builds up over time ? Even though we might clean on a regular basis, there are times when we need to go a little deeper. We realize that what appeared to be clean on the surface was in all actuality, quite filthy. The same thing can happen spiritually. As we go about our daily lives, there are things that can build up over time. Even if we regularly worship, pray and read our Bible, the pressures and cares of this wold can quietly build up, and end up consuming our lives. Without even realizing it, we can lose our peace, our joy, and our passion for the things of God. And our service to God, becomes nothing more a duty we must fulfill.

This makes me think of David as he wrote the Psalm, in Psalm 139: 1 O Lord you have searched me [thoroughly ] and you know me! There’s a commentary that says, You have examined into all my thoughts and feelings and arrived at a full knowledge of my spiritual condition. On verse 23 and 24 David says, “ Search me and know my heart, try me and know my anxious thoughts. One might wonder why David is asking God to search him if he started with, you have searched me and know me. I want you to understand that David is simply stating, keep on always searching me out and trying my heart. He continues and say, And see if there is any wicked way in me (if there is any offensive way; point out anything in me that offends you) and lead me in the way everlasting (the way of righteousness).

David with all his faults hungered and thrusted for righteousness (right standing with God). As scriptures tells us “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.” See, being in right-standing with God fills our live with all of God’s goodness. But iniquity or perversity separates us from God and sin hides His face from us.

Fasting is the deep cleaning, it’s an incredibly effective way to get into the nooks and crannies of our souls and bring everything out into the light of God. As you pray and fast today, ask God to search you, and like David pray that God cleanse your heart, renew your spirit and restore the joy of your salvation.

Verses to Meditated on

Psalm 139:1, 23-24 ; Isaiah 59:1-2 ; Psalm 51