Scripture for Today: Lamentations 3:40 “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.”

The morning routine of a mature woman is revolutionized when two essentials are included; tweezers and a lighted magnifying mirror!  Seriously, it has changed my life!  Of course, such minute detail is rarely noticed by anyone else.  But all that scrutiny is now making my morning preparations much longer.  It takes more time but it is all good as I examine and put right the details.  It is rare that I do not find something to remedy each time I dare to look!

When it comes to examining what is on the inside, the experience can be much more uncomfortable.  Today’s verse is an encouragement to do just that.  When we examine our ways and test them, more often then not a correction is needed to return to what God wants.  The self-examination can be revealing and humbling.  But the results are worth it as a new closeness to Him develops.

There is no condemnation as a believer (Romans 8:1) but there is discipline and a loss of intimacy with the Lord as a result of sin.  Examining myself means I can avoid much of that grief.  Because of His unfailing love, He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone (Lam. 3:32-33).  But He will lovingly use the negative in my life to bring me back to where I need to be.  As uncomfortable as that self-examination is, it is so much better than going through discipline or feeling He is far away.  I want to see what He sees and not just think everything is fine!  I want a deeper more satisfying walk with Him without that sin getting in the way!

Lord, help me see my heart like You do.