Yesterday’s premise was that most of us really want to honor God by putting to death the sin in our lives - yet we might not know how. Rather than giving 1000 ways to do that, I chose to give everyone 4 words to explore, pray about and meditate on. My personal belief is that a strong understanding of these 4 words can lead us far past the bare minimum and closer to the goal of living a life that truly honors and glorifies God.
The first word is Desire. This is where it begins. Just over 10 years ago I came face to face with the verse Isaiah 26:8 – “Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” It was both convicting and transforming for me. It was convicting because I had to deal with the reality that God’s name and renown were often not my #1 desire. It was transforming because it gave me a purposeful goal, one I have clung to for the last 10+ years.
Here’s the truth we need to get our mind around – God wants our desire for Him to go beyond the bare minimum. In fact, God wants our desire to be totally and completely Him. Isaiah 26:8 is not a fairytale. It is not some pipedream. And from personal experience I know that its realization is freeing and transforming!
What can it look like? Read the following verses and take some time to pray about them. As you read them, ask God to make them true in your life. Share your insight with others so they can benefit as well...
Psalm 63:1-5 - David’s soul was satisfied so fully with God that he compared it to being satisfied with the richest of foods. In other words, for David, there was no greater satisfaction than God Himself.
Psalm 37:4 - Don’t think of this as “God will give you whatever you think you want”. Instead, think of it as “When you find delight in God, He will place new desires on your heart.” And that is what we are seeking – a new desire for God Himself.
Psalm 73:25 - Again, the goal is loud and clear – that we would desire God above wealth, popularity, fame, image, health, family and anything else the world has to offer.
Now, how does this happen? Desires don’t change quickly or easily. But they can change. And they change when they come face to face with the greatness of God. The more accurate our image of God, the greater our desire will be for Him. When we see Him in all His greatness and glory, then He will become our greatest desire.
Tips and Tools –
1) Recognize the greater goal and make it your own (God’s glory)
2) Pray daily and specifically for God to change your desires
3) Indulge yourself with God and His greatness (remain closely connected to the vine)
Blessings to you as God changes the desires of your heart.
It’s all for His Glory,
PJ
Posted on
Mon, October 12, 2009
by Jonathan Goeke