I've been thinking lately about the importance our examining our motives according to God's Word as we draw near to Him. As critical as it is to come to God at the beginning in humility and submission to His will by grace through faith, so we must continue in this posture in seeking the fullness of His Spirit. We can at any point of our Christian pilgrimage begin to unknowingly entertain selfish motives. Our desires can degrade to what God can provide for us or do our will rather than humbling ourselves to seek His. Instead of selfless desire for the glory of God, we can be focused on our problems, pain, or how God should end them for us.
God will not become a means to our end. God knows what we need, but will acquiesce to our greed and selfishness to chasten us back to Him. This sobering reality is demonstrated in Psalm 106:13-15: "They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, 14 but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. 15 And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul." If we willingly forget God's works and do not seek Him, pray God does not grant your request. The excitement of the prayer answered will soon be swallowed up in despair and spiritual drowsiness and weakness.
The sacrifices of the LORD are a broken heart and contrite spirit, not insatiable demands of the proud or self-righteous. Joel 2:12-13 says, "Now, therefore," says the LORD, "turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." 13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm." Praise the LORD He hears our cries, and He is able to make our hearts pure before Him when we repent. His hand which breaks us can also heal and restore. James 5:11 reads, "Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful."
God will not become a means to our end. God knows what we need, but will acquiesce to our greed and selfishness to chasten us back to Him. This sobering reality is demonstrated in Psalm 106:13-15: "They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, 14 but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. 15 And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul." If we willingly forget God's works and do not seek Him, pray God does not grant your request. The excitement of the prayer answered will soon be swallowed up in despair and spiritual drowsiness and weakness.
The sacrifices of the LORD are a broken heart and contrite spirit, not insatiable demands of the proud or self-righteous. Joel 2:12-13 says, "Now, therefore," says the LORD, "turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." 13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm." Praise the LORD He hears our cries, and He is able to make our hearts pure before Him when we repent. His hand which breaks us can also heal and restore. James 5:11 reads, "Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful."
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