GOD'S OWN HEART

The nation of Israel had “church” down to a science. Things were humming along like a well-oiled machine! God Himself let them know that things looked good on the outside, stating “Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me” in Psalm 50:8.

But what about compassion and kindness? What about the altruistic love of the kind that only flows from hearts born-again and perfectly attuned to God Almighty? That kind of love and worship rarely ever existed in Israel’s midst.

One such case was between two men, Jonathan and David. Scripture tells us, “After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.” Jonathan, the heir apparent to Saul’s throne, gave up his rights and self-worship for his friend, David. More importantly, Jonathan gave up everything because of his relationship with God.

Some years ago there was a commercial about the ease and joy of paying with a credit card. Everyone in the store was beaming as they hauled their little trinkets and treasures to the register. It was a harmonious concert of mindless drones consuming and being consumed by their lust for earthly possessions.

The tension is inserted when one fumbling, bumbling, foolhardy nitwit wrecks the seamless flow by stopping to pay with… ca$h of all things!!! All the drones fired off looks of death and hatred as their fellow consumer fumbled with their cash and waited for change. Oh, the humanity of it all!

That’s church today. A seamless flow of mindless consumer drones flocking in perfect harmony to a rhythm and purpose completely unknown to God. “Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me.” Ever before Him, but never pleasing.

Like the priest and the Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), we opt to pass over on the “other side” of people who are hurting, broken, destitute, and unloveable. We’d rather spend our Sunday morning chatting it up with our fishing buddies, fantasy football league, or gossiping about you-know-who than actually serving or considering others as more important than ourselves (Phil 2:3).

In Psalm 50, God goes on to say, “Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?” God’s point is that the Almighty One doesn’t need our sacrifices, our tithe, or our religious activities. In fact, God doesn’t NEED anything from us at all. What He desires from us and for us is our everything.

Why get to church 15-20 minutes early and ask, “Hey, what can I do to help?” Why spend 15-20 minutes in prayer for the first timers who will be nervous and fearful - since they’ve never been to church before? Why get to know people’s names and faces so that you can introduce yourself to someone who might be new; someone who might have been devastated by a church experience 20 years ago?

Why do any of that when you have it down to a science? Get up at the last minute, grab one of those “Visitor” or “New Mom” slots up front, slip in late, and slip out early - on with your day. To which God says, “Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me.” Continually before Him, but never pleasing.

In 1 Samuel 15:22 Samuel said to the uber religious, but disconnected Saul, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”

At one point Saul had been God’s anointed king over Israel. Disobedience and self-worship ruined that relationship, and the kingship was violently and irrevocably rent from Saul and his family. It was given to a humble and insignificant shepherd boy, David. David wasn’t perfect.

Infidelity and murder marred not only his kingship but his relationship with God - for a time. But David repented, turning his heart completely to God (Acts 13:22). Because of this surrender and obedience, David was considered perfect and spotless in God’s sight.

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” -Psalm 103:11-12.

David experienced that kind of grace, forgiveness, rejuvenation, and reconciliation with God when he stopped serving himself and stopped going through well oiled religious motions - as if God needs any of it.

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death” (Prov 14:12). Saul experienced it but never turned his heart back to God. Judas experienced it but hung himself rather than asking forgiveness. David experienced it… repented and humbled himself through total abandon and surrender. So God made David an eternal covenant promise.

Did you know that God has done exactly the same thing for you? He’s calling you from a lifeless relationship of mindless religious action to NEW LIFE in Jesus Christ. God’s promise to you is signed by Christ’s blood at the cross of Calvary and sealed by Holy Spirit.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” -Jesus

When we lay down our rights to our own kingdom and become people after God’s own heart, heaven’s floodgates open to our heart and prayers. That’s the “whole tithe” Malachi wrote about in saying, “see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

It’s not about whether or not you drop your insignificant 10% in the basket. God never needed your 10%. He wants 100% of you so that He can give you 100% of Him. Not prosperity gospel, but rather the gospel’s prosperity. That’s the point in Luke 21:1-4.

There are the mindless religious consumers dancing in the ignorant bliss of death’s intoxicating serenade; then there are those who have surrendered all and truly found the abundant life in Christ by laying it all down.

Who do you want to be? David or Saul? Peter or Judas? A religious drone or person after God’s own heart?

Blessings!

-Kevin M. Kelley

aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com