O Lord, You have searched me and known me. —Psalm 139:1

Psalm 139 is a blessing to read and receive its truth personally, knowing God’s Spirit is always with His children. The Lord, of course, knows us better than we know ourselves. There are times in our lives when we don’t know what is in our own hearts unless the Lord reveals our hearts to us.

Matthew 26:31-35 is an example of how the Lord reveals our hearts to us. The night before Jesus gave his life on the cross, he cited the Scripture from Zechariah 13:7 and told his disciples they would all stumble and be scattered. Peter said to Jesus that even if all were made to stumble because of Him, he would never be made to stumble. Jesus then told Peter he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed. Peter adamantly responded that he would never deny Jesus even if he would have to die with Him.

So many sermons and teachings focus on Peter denying Jesus. But one morning many years ago, I read Peter’s words, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” Then the next six words of that verse leaped out at me: “And so said all the disciples.” And we read in verse 56: “Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.”

Peter and the other disciples were sincere when they told Jesus they would not deny him. So there are times we truly do not know what is in our hearts. Thank the Lord He knows and makes a way of repentance and escape from what seeks to ensnare us. Verse 75 records how Peter wept bitterly over denying Jesus.

Peter really believed he would never deny Jesus. Although Peter didn’t know what was in his heart, Jesus did. We don’t know our hearts like God knows our hearts. 1 Samuel 16:7 says He looks at our hearts. And thank God He will reveal our hearts to us when we need to deal with something in our hearts that is sin, unbelief, wrong attitudes, etc.

And just as important as revealing Peter’s heart to him is that Jesus told Peter He had prayed for him. He knew the work He had for Peter to do as His (New Testament) Church was birthed. Peter needed the fervent and powerful intercession of Jesus to strengthen him to go forth in what the Lord had called him to do. Many souls were born into the Kingdom of God and mighty miracles occurred as Peter and the other disciples went forth in the power of the Holy Spirit and spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ (see the book of Acts).

Thank God we have a holy intercessor! He has a work for each of His believers to do in His Kingdom, and Jesus is at the right hand of God, interceding for us (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25). When we sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One (1 John 2:1), who is able to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations. We may stumble, but because of our great Intercessor, we are strengthened and empowered to go forward in His righteousness.

Thank you, Lord, that you are my great high priest, interceding to the Father on my behalf. Search my heart and reveal to me anything that displeases you and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)