Prove Me, Lord

Psalm 26:1-5

INTRODUCTION: Man can honour God with his lips while having a heart that is far from God (Matthew 15:8). This outward manifestation of righteousness may at times be capable of deceiving other men, but never the Lord. In fact, “the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). It is with this in mind that saints of old would ask of God that He would prove them. They wanted to know the truth about themselves. To get the full effect of what this means, one must know that the Bible associates proving with trying (Psalm 17:3), examining (Psalm 26:2), tempting (Psalm 95:9), and knowing (Deuteronomy 8:2).

I. LAYING THE FOUNDATION

A. The Purpose of the Old Testament (1 Corinthians 10:11)

1. These things happened unto them for ensamples.
2. They are written for our admonition.

B. The Proving of Old Testament Saints

1. He proved them at Marah (Exodus 15:25-26).
2. He proved them generally in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:2, 15-16).
3. He proved them with false prophets (Deuteronomy 13:3).
4. He proved them with heathen nations (Judges 2:22; Judges 3:1, 4).
5. He proved them with commandments (Exodus 16:4; Exodus 20:20).

II. PATTERNS OF PROVING

A. The Trials of Life

1. Like the years of wandering in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:2)
a. Wars
b. Lack of food
c. Lack of water
2. Often accomplished in the trial of one’s faith (1 Peter 1:6-7)

B. The Temptations to Sin

1. Like the Lord’s leaving of nations in the land of promise (Judges 2:22; Judges 3:1, 4)
2. This is not to say that the Lord tempts man to sin (James 1:13-14)
3. God allows man to be in situations where sin can be accomplished, but man chooses to sin without the help of God

C. The Testimonies of God

1. Like the giving of God’s law (Exodus 16:4)
2. Obedience or disobedience to the commandments of God is a tremendous prover as to the condition of a man’s heart (John 14:23).

III. PURPOSE OF PROVING

A. The Present Purpose

1. Prove salvation (2 Corinthians 13:5)
2. Prove obedience (2 Corinthians 2:9)
3. Prove sincerity (2 Corinthians 8:8)
4. Prove work (Galatians 6:4)

B. The Coming Purpose (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

1. Every man’s work shall be made manifest (1 Corinthians 3:13).
2. It shall be revealed by fire (1 Corinthians 3:13).
3. The fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is (1 Corinthians 3:13).

CONCLUSION: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10). Those who love the Lord want the true nature of their hearts to be identified now.