Reflection: Keith Lim
Voice: Quek Li Huan
Audio
O God, search my heart
Today is Tuesday, 13th May 2025. Let us quieten our hearts and be still in the presence of God.
As we thank God for another day of His mercies and grace, let us read from
Psalm139:1-4
139 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
and Psalm 139: 23-24
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as It was in the beginning, is
now, and shall be forever. Amen.
The Scripture reading for today is taken from Ephesians 4:1-7
4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Reflection
How incredible it is that the Almighty God—the Creator of the universe—is so deeply concerned with us. In fact, Scripture paints a picture of a God who is almost obsessed with knowing and loving His children.
Psalm 139 tells us that God has searched us and knows us completely. He knows when we sit and when we rise. He discerns our thoughts from afar. Even before a word is on our tongue, He knows it fully.
And in Luke 12:7, Jesus declares, “Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” Or as the Psalmist declared in 8:4, “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”
It is almost beyond comprehension—that the God who holds galaxies together would take such intimate notice of us.
He loves us and knows us better than we know ourselves. He sees both the beauty and the brokenness within us—nothing is hidden from Him.
And yet, His desire is not to shame us, but to heal us. He wants to reveal what is not right in our lives—both the obvious and the hidden—not to humiliate, but to invite us into repentance and transformation. It is His kindness that leads us to become more like Christ.
Dear brothers and sisters, will we respond with humility?
Will we dare to be honest before this loving God—inviting Him to search our hearts and reveal what does not please Him?
Let us come before Him with open hands and open hearts, trusting in His mercy and longing to be made new.
Questions to ponder:
- Am I assured of God’s love for us that we will be open and honest with God?
- Am I humbled enough to come before the throne of grace to ask for a spiritual examination from God?
- What areas of my life has God spoken to me about that I need to change?
In the full Morning Office, there is a moment for song, or a Canticle. This one is named Kyrie Pantokrator, also referred to as the Prayer of Manasseh. It is a Song of Penitence that the Church sings in the season of Lent.
The words of this Canticle (i.e. lyrics of this song) are set out below. You may wish to let a sung version of this Prayer of Manasseh accompany you as we close our time of devotion today.
O Lord and Ruler of the hosts of heaven, *
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
and of all their righteous offspring:
You made the heavens and the earth, *
with all their vast array.
All things quake with fear at your presence; *
they tremble because of your power.
But your merciful promise is beyond all measure; *
it surpasses all that our minds can fathom.
O Lord, you are full of compassion, *
long-suffering, and abounding in mercy.
You hold back your hand; *
you do not punish as we deserve.
In your great goodness, Lord,
you have promised forgiveness to sinners, *
that they may repent of their sin and be saved.
And now, O Lord, I bend the knee of my heart, *
and make my appeal, sure of your gracious goodness.
I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, *
and I know my wickedness only too well.
Therefore I make this prayer to you: *
Forgive me, Lord, forgive me.
Do not let me perish in my sin, *
nor condemn me to the depths of the earth.
For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, *
and in me you will show forth your goodness.
Unworthy as I am, you will save me,
in accordance with your great mercy, *
and I will praise you without ceasing all the days of my life.
For all the powers of heaven sing your praises, *
and yours is the glory to ages of ages. Amen.
Source: Book of Common Prayer 2019, Supplementary Canticles, p. 81-82.
Daily Devotion 
Leave a comment