Probing

 

A few years ago, I had a small lump removed from the inside of my forearm.  You wouldn’t have really noticed it if you didn’t know it was there.  The dermatologist said it was a baker’s cyst and probably not cancerous, but I just didn’t like it there.  On the day of the surgery, the surgeon came in and began to examine the area.  He marked each edge with a special pen, and then began to numb the marked area with lidocaine.  The first prick hurt a little, but I felt nothing after that.  Good thing.  I began to get curious as the doctor and the nurse worked carefully.  Don’t wimp out on me - I’m going somewhere with this story.  He made an incision and began to probe.  He pulled out some tissue and clipped it off.  Then he probed again, pulled out some more tissue and clipped again.  He did this about five times, the nurse dabbing between each snip, and he was done.  After three stitches (and some time), I was as good as new.  Hey, that’s exactly how the dear Lord operates on my heart.  Except that God is probing for sin that lurks deep inside.  If I let Him, He will reveal evil that hides, and together, the Lord and I  can remove them.  God will reveal, convict, and forgive IF I will let Him.  David said in Psalm 139:23&24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”