A Prayer Of Courage (Part 2)

A few weeks ago we began looking at David’s Prayer of Courage

Whenever we pray this prayer, we are opening ourselves up for God to examine every part and do whatever He feels is necessary to make me like Jesus

First, we saw David say

SEARCH ME – examine me, look at every part, even the ones I’m hiding

Second, we saw Davis say

KNOW ME – in the most intimate way – better yet, know me and make me known to myself

Continue today and look at the rest of David’s prayer of courage

Read passage/Pray

Trans: David says, after you have searched and know me, then I give you permission to…

3. TEST ME

In the KJV he says “TRY ME”

When God searches you and finds some things that aren’t good – He loves us enough to PUT THESE THINGS TO TEST in order to clean them up

Can I get a witness?

The ultimate goal would be like David tells us in Psa 17:3 “Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you TEST ME, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin”

Testing from God is really the refining process that He uses to conform us to be more like Jesus

Zech 13:9 “This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold…”

Mal 3:3 “He will sit as a refiner of sliver and purifier of gold; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then (can you say THEN?) Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings of righteousness”

We are tested by the storms in life to make us stronger still – and God wants the best for us even though it may hurt going through it

Asking God to TEST YOU takes great courage because when you ask that, I promise He will TEST YOU

God will even use Satan himself for the testing – turn to Job 1:1 & 6-12

Amazing thing with that – all that Job went through – He passed the test

James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood THE TEST, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

David’s desire was for God to purify him and test him in such a way to make sure there was no evil way in him that would hinder His walk with God

Trans: Then after the searching, knowing, and testing of David, he then says to God…

4. LEAD ME

David says…after all this LEAD ME – not just any old way – but in THE WAY everlasting

In other words, lead me in the right way that would honor you God

David is seeking God’s guidance in His life – to guide him in the right way

Let me ask, is there any of us who do not desire for God to lead and guide us?

That should be our desire…it was David’s desire

David says in Ps 5:8 “Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness…(in the right way)

Psa 27:11 “Teach me you way, O Lord, LEAD ME in a straight path…(in the right way)

Psa 143:10 “…may your good Spirit LEAD ME on level ground.” (in the right way)

God desires to lead us down right paths – His paths that lead to the best for our lives

Psa 23:2-3 gives a perfect picture of where God leads (turn there)

Look at Psa 25:8-10

Psa 119:35 “Direct me in the path of your commands, for THERE I find delight”

Prov 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord…(quote)

And of course, we all know the Lord ’s Prayer Matt 6:13 “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one”

He promises to LEAD US as Isa 30:21 says “Whether you turn to the right or left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying ‘This is the way, walk in it.”

That promise extends all the way to the end of our life

Psa 48:14 “For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end”

David’s desire, David’s cry, David’s prayer is that God would LEAD HIM IN THE WAY EVERLASTING and it should be ours as well

Conclusion

I know that God is not done with me or you yet – Can I get a witness?

I also know that He wants to go deeper still with us – but the question is do we have the courage, life David, to pray what David prayed in our text

1. SEARCH ME – lay open all my ways – the secret places – search me

2. KNOW ME – know all the ins and outs and help me know myself