Psalm 139:23-24, Job 31:6, Job 1:22, Job 1:1

Howard Drummond issues a challenge

Howard Drummond

Recently my little red car had to go in for its yearly MOT. This is an annual test of vehicle safety, roadworthiness aspects and exhaust emissions required in Great Britain.

At the end of the test a certificate is issued deeming the vehicle roadworthy, unless it has failed, in which case the vehicle has to be put right and re-tested.

If you went to the garage and the mechanic said your car needed a new gearbox, or new brakes, then as the driver you have a responsibility to take action. To ignore underlying problems would put you at risk - and not only you, but also those with whom you share your car and other road users including pedestrians.

The same principle applies to our physical bodies, minds and spiritual wellbeing. If we want to function at our best we need to take a really good look at how we are operating. We too need to carry out our own Spiritual MOT.

Giving ourselves space and time to see the good and bad things in our lives is a useful exercise, but ultimately it will only make a difference if we act on the findings. This will determine the way we walk, operate in ministry and gifting and more importantly walk in our anointing.

The Psalmist David said in Psalm 139:23-24, 'Search me O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting'.

David is wanting to walk in the way of the everlasting. David is seeking God for indicators, faults and failings in his life that would see him un-roadworthy for the journey set before him. David was in search of that which displeased God; that which grieved God's heart.

At regular intervals in our lives we should always be willing to put ourselves through the test that would reveal the things that displease God; those things that have an effect on the mind, body and our spiritual well-being.

Today I would encourage you to consider how you are doing with God. When was the last time you asked God, like David, to search you and to seize the things in your minds, bodies and spirits that displease Him?

If we avoid opening ourselves up to God in this way, is it because we are frightened at what He might find? Is it because we're hiding something which we've hidden from others around, thinking that we've hidden it from God too? Or is it that when we do ask, we have the full knowledge that the search that will be conducted will be a thorough search, where no stone will be left unturned?

Job says in 31:6, 'Let me be weighed with honest scales, that God may know my integrity'.

As God begins to conduct the search we may be tempted to pass the buck. The words that come to mind are, 'Where there's a blame, there's a claim'. In a culture of injury claims, the fault always lies with someone else. With us at times we will try and 'pass the buck'.

Sometimes we blame God for our own shortfalls and downfalls. Do we not, in all honesty point the finger at God when clearly we have free will? Don't we try and blame someone else saying, 'They made me do it'? Some claims may be legitimate, but some things are down to us, as it's our responsibility.

Job lost everything, but as it says in Job 1:22, 'In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong'.