Thinking back on the year there are so many things that have happened, many that are positive, and many that are not so positive.  As you continue to grow in your relationship with the Lord Jesus, he will continue to show you that your past does not define you, he defines you!  He is guiding you, shepherding you to be more like Christ.  What Christ did was he got away with his heavenly father and cried out to him, shared the things that were heavy on his mind and heart, he mourned, grieved; we see this time and time again throughout Christ’s ministry.

We have been in a culture where we potentially inwardly shame ourselves, avoid sharing hard things out loud or with anyone else for a plethora of reasons but what if culture has been leading us away from what scripture/The Lord is leading us to.  I believe when we keep things in the dark, we're giving access to or permission to the one who controls darkness which continues to twist truths and creates blindness and hardness within our lives.  This is where reflection and constant confession and communication with our Lord and Savior is of utmost importance! Check out how King David invites God into the dark areas of his life.

Psalm 139:23-24 Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me,get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life.

Yes, at the end of the new year we need to reflect on the year and celebrate the high-top moments and where we have seen God at work!  Those celebrations will grow, mature, and intensify as we grow in dealing with the sin, we most often can’t see, won’t see and avoid.  So, David models for us a daily invitation to our Lord Jesus, an invite into Investigating, finding out everything, cross-examining and testing us. Other versions of the bible say search, know me, test me/try me, see if there is any offensive/wicked way in me….

In other words, David is surrendering his thoughts over to God, many times we don’t even recognize our pride, we need to ask for God to show it, and He will.  It is then up to us to confess it, most likely out loud and repent of it, turn from it.  So it doesn’t oppress us or control us any longer.

Christ came to set us free from sin, the sin we actually hold ourselves and/or others in contempt for and don’t even know we're doing it….

This is where the wisdom from the prophet Isaiah is so important.

Isaiah 43:18 - “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past”

We need to know our mistakes, missteps, our sins so we can learn how confessing to God is healthy, healing, freeing, maturing and obedient!  When we give the former things over to our Lord Jesus we won't be defined by them, we won’t dwell on them, they won't have control over us any longer.

So today, will you choose to ask God to Investigate my life, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong - then guide me on the road to eternal life.


I encourage you to also read this, remember and pray this over you today and each day!

Psalm 18:1-3 I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;  my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.  He is my shield, the power that saves me,and my place of safety.  I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.