"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; 24 and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139:23-24 NKJV
An appraisal, is an annual assessment of the performance of a NHS worker, Social Care worker or other related workers. It is carried out to ascertain how the worker is doing, what should have been done, what needs to be done and to discuss weaknesses and strengths. It is a good way of checking out where the worker is at. Today's text could be described as David asking God to do an appraisal on him in order to find out the same.
For a moment, let us imagine that God is doing an appraisal on ourselves. What is He going to find and what changes will need to be made? God searches our hearts to determine where we are at. What is He going to notice? Part of His assessment will be to determine the fruit you are bearing - good or bad. He will investigate us throughly so that He can determine what changes need to be made and what we can improve on. He will ascertain what needs to go into the refuse bin and what state our heart is in, spiritually.
One question He may ask is, 'Why do you become anxious?' Another may be, 'Why do you worry so much?' How will you answer these two questions? Jesus tells not to worry about things (Matthew 6) and we are told by Peter to, 'Cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you.' (1 Peter 5:7). So why don't we take notice of this. These are weaknesses.
What can we do to improve this? Well, what about, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all you ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.' Proverbs 3:5-6.
Am I willing to own up to the things that I shouldn't be doing? Ephesians 4:21-32, 'put off concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind.'
If we're honest, if we ask God to carry out such an appraisal on us, He will take us up on it and, He will find things that need to change. However, be encouraged, because, He will find the good things too. He knows what you did to bring hope and comfort to someone lately. He knows what a blessing you have been to those who are in need. He looks and He is pleased.
Therefore, an appraisal is not just about bad things, it is also about the strengths that you have and the heart that is gradually - little by little, becoming more like Jesus. Take encouragement because, 'being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.' Philippians 1:6.
If you mean business with Jesus, then He will do the same with you. He is totally for you!
Tomorrow, we begin our Study of Joseph. Be sure not to miss it.
Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard
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