I have acknowledged my ways and have
turned my steps to your statutes.
—Psalm 119:59
It flustered Peter when Jesus forced self-examination by asking him three times if he loved him.
Peter pointed at John and asked, “What about him?’
Jesus said, in effect, “John is not your concern; we’re talking about you” (see Jn 21:15–22).
The psalmist said, “I have considered my ways.” When he had a hard look at himself, he admitted he was going the wrong way, and reversed course: “I thought about the wrong direction in which I was headed, and turned around and came running back to you” (Ps 119:59–60 TLB).
No dilly-dallying. No delay.
Self-examination takes courage. It’s unpleasant. Tough. But wise.
“Know thyself” is one of life’s greatest needs—
and one of life’s greatest difficulties.