This morning I the very early hours of the morning the Lord put this scripture in my heart. Many of you know it as lines from a famous Christian song written by James Edwin in 1936
SEARCH ME, O GOD written in 1936
James Edwin Orr (1912-1987)
Search me, O God, and know my heart today,
try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray;
see if there be some wicked way in me;
cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.
I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
fulfill Thy word and make me pure within;
fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame;
grant my desire to magnify Thy name.
Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine;
take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord, in me abide.
O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee;
send a revival, start the work in me;
Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need;
for blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead.
SEARCH ME, O GOD written in 1936
The Story
At the age of 24, a Baptist evangelist, James Edwin Orr (1912-1987)… known as J. Edwin, wrote this hymn following an Easter campaign in New Zealand.
During that campaign in 1936, revival fell on the people of New Zealand. Midnight services had to be added to accommodate the crowds. Many people were converted. Revival fire spread across the island nation. The key to this revival was the public confession and reconciliation of believers. A theme verse for that revival was Psalm 139:1, which says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart today.”
As hearts were cleansed, the Holy Spirit moved in power.
As J. was set to leave New Zealand, 4 Maori girls came to him and sang him their native song of farewell. Impressed by the song… especially the tune, and still stirred by the revival he had witnessed there, J. quickly scribbled some verses on the back of an envelope while he was waiting in the post office of Ngaruawahia, New Zealand.
***This morning I believe the Lord is calling us to dive deep into this Psalm of David that is so powerful.
I believe this morning the Holy Spirit is calling us to prepare our hearts and lives for this Holy season. To prepare our hearts for this special time of year as we remember and as we celebrate Jesus Christ and the completed work of the cross and resurrection.
As we together as a Church prepare our Hearts to celebrate the Passover Seder Dinner this Wednesday night April 9th. And then as we prepare to celebrate Jesus Christ Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday, April 13th. Finally on Easter Sunday morning, April 20th we celebrate Christ Death burial and Resurrection! Gathering together with our friends and family we celebrate the water baptism of new believers in Christ and those who desire to make a recommitment and profession of Faith in Jesus Christ. King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Yes my friends I believe this morning the Lord is calling us to open up our hearts and lives to Jesus. To call out on him as the Psalmist David did in this song. Psalm 139.
Today is a day of preparation. Will you please join me as we go to God’s word:
Psalm 139
1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
***The first thing that we see here is David acknowledging God’s complete knowledge and understanding of David. When we see this word in verse 1 “Search” we may think of an investigation to look for guilty person or to uncover something wrong. But as a read verses 2, 3, 4 I see something more than an investigation. I see something that looks more like a relationship. David says God you know me. You see me. You see me when I sit down and when I get up. But not only do you see me, not only do you know me, but Jesus you understand my thoughts now and the ones that are a far off.
My friends we live in a world and in a time that many people do not feel like they are seen, or heard. Many people do not feel like they are understood. I want to tell you something today:
****Point #1 of the Message: God sees you, God knows you, God hears you, God understands you, and God surrounds you.
Hebrews 4:15
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Proverbs 15:29
29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Matthew 7:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Psalm 34:7-9
7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
****Point #1 of the Message: God sees you, God knows you, God hears you, God understands you, and God surrounds you.
***Lets go back to Psalms 139:6
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
***Point #2 God’s love is so strong for us we cannot fully understand it.
My friends is want someone to step into freedom today. I want someone to get this in their spirit this morning. You do not have to fully understand God’s love for you in order for it to be real. I do not have to fully understand how my truck works to get in and drive it to church. Someone listening to me this morning needs to step into freedom today.
God loves you, God knows you, God sees you, God hears you, God surrounds you…..even when you do not understand why or how.
Listen to the prophet Isaiah:
Isaiah 55:8-9
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
1 Corinthians 13:8-13
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
****Point #1 of the Message: God sees you, God knows you, God hears you, God understands you, and God surrounds you.
***Point #2 God’s love is so strong for us we cannot fully understand it.
***Back to Psalms 139:7
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Point #3 of the Message: You may be running from God but he is never far away from you.
*** We sing the song sometimes: I cannot run away from your unfailing love, I cannot run away from your unfailing love. Your love is like a freight train……..
David realized early in his life that it did not matter if he was in the pasture or the palace. On the battlefield or in the bedroom. It did not matter if we was singing or sinning. God’s presence was there. My friends you cannot get away from the Holy Spirit. Your children cannot get away from the Holy Spirit.
***Hear the words of Paul the Apostle as he is recounting his encounter with Jesus Christ on the Road to Damascus to King Agrippa. Paul at that time was called Saul and had been going around arresting the Christians and putting them in prison. He was there standing by watching the coats of the men who stoned Steven who was the 1st martyr for Christ in the early church.
Acts 26:12-18
12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Point #3 of the Message: You may be running from God but he is never far away from you.
It was several years ago that is was asked to preach a funeral service for someone that I did not know. I had never spoken to in my life. The circumstances around their death were not clear but this thing was clear. The person was in a time of distress and the Lord put this scripture in my heart to share with the family.
Psalm 34:18
18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
***I believe that Jesus is in the room with his nail pierced hands outstretched toward those who find themselves bound in the chains of addition and loose their battle to overcome. I believe Jesus is kneeling beside those who are trapped in a world of sin and despair as they cry themselves to sleep at night under the influence of whatever they can to take the edge off the pain. David in Psalms 139:7-8
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
***David understood the powerful love and presence of God was not something he was able to run away from. My friends take hope this morning. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Point #3 of the Message: You may be running from God but he is never far away from you.
***Back to Psalms 134:13
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
*** Point #4 of the Message today: God made you original, unique and with his authentic creator marks
Jeremiah 1:5
5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
***Back to Psalms 134:17
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
***Point #5 of the Message today: Jesus is thinking precious things about you today
Romans 8:31-34
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
***Back to Psalms 134:17
19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
21 Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
***Point #6 of Message today: God calls his people to be holy separated from the wickedness of the world.
***You may respond but Pastor Jon, I thought you told us in point # 3 that Jesus was close to the people in sin and addition, broken spirit….
Yes I did. Jesus is there. The Holy Spirit is drawings, calling, ready to help when people turn to the Lord. God may call you to work in ministry to people who are running from him but God does not call you to run away with them.
David recognized the difference between being the running from Gods presence like taking a wrong turn off the highway and never turning back around to follow Jesus. God is holy God. God is a righteous God. God calls his people to through the life ring of deliverance to the drowning souls from the safety of the life boat of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
**** In Closing I want to end where we began. The cry of the heart of David in Psalms 134: 23-24
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
****Point #1 of the Message: God sees you, God knows you, God hears you, God understands you, and God surrounds you.
***Point #2 God’s love is so strong for us we cannot fully understand it.
Point #3 of the Message: You may be running from God but he is never far away from you.
Point #3 of the Message: You may be running from God but he is never far away from you.
*** Point #4 of the Message today: God made you original, unique and with his authentic creator marks
***Point #5 of the Message today: Jesus is thinking precious things about you today
***Point #6 of Message today: God calls his people to be holy separated from the wickedness of the world.