Some people like us because ... well; they just like us. For whatever reason, they have a "soft spot" for us, no matter how flawed or fickle we are.
A man named David understood that. For reasons he likely never fully knew, his God felt the same way about him.
"Now, therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader over My people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a name like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.' " (1 Chronicles 17.7-8)
David was as flawed as any man who ever lived. Words like "murderer" and "adulterer" aptly describe him. But, God "took a liking to him" because of a more important quality: he was a man after God's own heart (Acts 13.22). Misguided as his passion often was, he had an abiding passion for his Father that drew his Father to him.
Character counts. God desires a holy lifestyle, to be sure. But, attention to discipline and behavior at the expense of true passion for our Father is pointless. He wants our heart before He wants our behavior (Matthew 22.36-40). As such, there is no more stinging indictment than that which God leveled at His people through Isaiah the prophet: "this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote" (Isaiah 29.13).
The remedy for ritual is fresh romance with the Father. The need of the hour may not be service or sacrifice so much as simply spending time in heart to heart sharing. When was the last time you had a truly heartfelt conversation with your Father? If the answer is elusive, then the need is pressing. Clear some calendar time. Get away to a quiet place. Turn off the technology. Open your heart, and share deeply. Listen intently. Rekindle the flame.
May passion for the One who is truly passionate about you draw you into a life-changing experience today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
A man named David understood that. For reasons he likely never fully knew, his God felt the same way about him.
"Now, therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader over My people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a name like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.' " (1 Chronicles 17.7-8)
David was as flawed as any man who ever lived. Words like "murderer" and "adulterer" aptly describe him. But, God "took a liking to him" because of a more important quality: he was a man after God's own heart (Acts 13.22). Misguided as his passion often was, he had an abiding passion for his Father that drew his Father to him.
Character counts. God desires a holy lifestyle, to be sure. But, attention to discipline and behavior at the expense of true passion for our Father is pointless. He wants our heart before He wants our behavior (Matthew 22.36-40). As such, there is no more stinging indictment than that which God leveled at His people through Isaiah the prophet: "this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote" (Isaiah 29.13).
The remedy for ritual is fresh romance with the Father. The need of the hour may not be service or sacrifice so much as simply spending time in heart to heart sharing. When was the last time you had a truly heartfelt conversation with your Father? If the answer is elusive, then the need is pressing. Clear some calendar time. Get away to a quiet place. Turn off the technology. Open your heart, and share deeply. Listen intently. Rekindle the flame.
May passion for the One who is truly passionate about you draw you into a life-changing experience today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 7:56 AM
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