“Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.” - Psalm 26:1-2

David desires a deeper purity of heart and mind, and so should we! He asks the Lord to prove, try, and test him, but notice how he doesn’t turn away from the Lord in the asking! Often we ask but then shrink back in fear or wait not for the answer or redeeming work to come.

The very thing that proves Him in the asking is the next statement - “For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.”

He can ask the Lord to try and test him without fear of condemnation because its the Lord’s love and faithfulness that He can trust in to act perfectly according to His great character - steadfast goodness. It’s not even David’s own desire that he trusts in, nor his own faithfulness, but the steadfast love of the Lord and His faithfulness! Too often we try to walk in our own faithfulness and say, Look Lord! When He is saying, I want you to walk in my faithfulness!

A deeper trust of God is required for a deeper work in the heart of man.

I like how the NLT puts the verse “Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and affections.” Motives and affections. Talk about a deeper work in our heart - its one thing to confess obvious sins and outward mishaps, but  inward motives, hidden affections for other things? Definitely a deeper rending of the heart is necessary, Lord help us!

Surely this cleansing will lead us deeper into your presence, so that we can cry (vs. “I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glory shines!”.

Jesus, we look to your faithfulness, your steadfast love perfectly exemplified in the shedding of your blood on Calvary. We pray for the desire to be tested and tried as David had, that we might know You, Your kingdom ways, Your glory! That we might behold you in your sanctuary most beautiful. Only give us the grace to trust in you as these hidden motives and affections are exposed. For we know that the very light that exposes us comes from the only being that can cleanse and redeem us. Thank you Jesus, Amen.

“All who are thirsty, all who are weak! Come to the fountain! Dip your heart in the streams of life! Let the pain and the sorrow be washed away in the waves of His mercy, as Deep cries out to Deep. We sing - come Lord Jesus come. Come Lord Jesus come. Come Lord Jesus come!”