"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way."
-Psalm 139:23-24 (LSB)

Our God calls us to come before Him with honesty of heart. Too often, when we pray, we clothe ourselves with polished words or try to present a version of ourselves that seems "acceptable". Yet the God who sees all things already knows our thoughts, our fears, and our hidden sins. To bring Him only a mask is to deny His omniscience. David, in Psalm 139, gives us the better way: "Search me, O God ... try me ... lead me". He invites the Lord to see every anxious and sinful corner of his heart. This is not only honesty - it is intimacy.

True intimacy is built on trust and openness. Just as a husband and wife cultivate closeness through honest words, tender confessions, and emotional vulnerability, so too are we called to walk with God in sincerity. In a godly marriae, hiding fears or failures builds distance, but sharing them in love builds oneness. Likewise, when we withhold from the Lord, our hearts grow cold. But when we pour out our deepest cries before Him - whether sorrow, fear, or joy - He meets us with grace and draws us nearer

Our Lord Jesus Himself modelled this on Gethsemane. Facing the agony of the cross, He prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will " (Matthew 26:39 LSB). In holy intimacy with the Father, He laid bare His anguish and entrusted Himself to the Father's will. If the sinless Son prayed with such honesty, should we not do the same?

Spiritual intimacy is not cold formality; it is a living relationship. The Lord does not despise a contrite heart (Psalm 51:17), but receives it. He desires truth in our innermost being. The more honest we are, the deeper we grow in communion with Him. Pretence builds walls; truthfulness builds nearness.

Beloved, let this September be a month where we practice spiritual honesty before the Lord, cultivating intimacy with Him as we would with our closest companion. As in marriage, love deepens when truth is spoken in trust, so too our love for Christ deepens when we open every corner of our soul to Him.

Search me, O Lord, and draw me into deeper intimacy with You. Teach me to pray with honesty, to confess my sins and fears without pretence, and to trust Your grace. As a husband and wife grow closer through honesty, so let me grow nearer to You in truth. Lead me in the everlasting way, for Your glory and my joy in Christ. Amen.

For the Glory of the KING

Francois