05/09/2024
The scripture passage from my devotional reading this morning could either reassure us or cause us to tremble. E.M. Bounds had titled his devotional message "All My Longings" and spoken of God answering our fervent prayers. However, his scripture selection was a double edged sword. He had chosen a verse that would thrill the righteous believer while at the same time bringing fear to the wayward sinner. It deals with a common theme in the Bible… God knows our heart.
“Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.”
Psalms 38:9 KJV
If we are seeking the Lord with all of our heart, as we should, then this is a verse to celebrate, but if we desire ungodly things then this is a warning filled with dread. The Psalmist understood this as he wrote, and placed the scripture amidst many verses that described his own inadequacies. Listen to what he says about himself…
“There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.”
Psalms 38:3 KJV
Although God sees our unrighteous as well as righteous longings, Bounds encouraged us by saying this about our godly longings: "when we seek His face in prayer, God [gives] us the desires of our hearts in proportion to the fervency of spirit we exhibit." He is reassuring those of us who are seeking God in prayer by revealing God’s attentiveness to the groaning of our heart in contrition.
So God knows our righteous desires and our sinfully wanton longings as well. He sees us for what we are, and who we are... He has known man's corruption and shortcomings throughout time, and yet, in his infinite mercy and grace, He still sent His son to die for our redemption. If this isn't encouraging and reassuring then nothing is.
One day I was discussing the news with some friends and in the course of the conversation the subject of a violent murder came up. This particular killing was vicious and committed by a teenage boy who was now going to trial... Yet there on the courthouse steps was his mother... entering the courthouse. Someone made the statement "I don't think I could do that if that was my son." and upon hearing this I thought to myself, God enters the courthouse for us every day. Whether we have committed a misdemeanor or a violent felony, He doesn't give up on us and keeps the door of change open for our confession, contrition, repentance, and belief. He knows our hearts and He also knows when they have been changed. Judges and society don't have the ability to see a man’s heart, but God does, and He can forgive instantly with full assurance that His decision is well founded.
In Psalm 39, the psalmist lays out his own shortcomings and decrepit nature; he expresses contrition, and repentance... then he ends the psalm with a fervent prayer...
“Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.”
Psalms 38:21-22 KJV
Bounds was speaking this morning about fervent prayer, and God knowing our deepest desires. To many of us those desires might be bodily, to others they might be worldly, but in some of us these longings are spiritual in nature... they might be for forgiveness, redemption, or a complete offering of ourselves to the Lord. As men we can only guess at what is in the heart of another, but God knows exactly what resides there. So when a sinner comes to the altar who are we to doubt their sincerity? Who are we to say that what they are doing is self-serving? Criminals in prison owe a debt to society because they have been judged by man, but their spiritual debt can be erased by God in a moment with no further recourse. God is on the courthouse steps for all of us; even the worst sinners.
Whether we are busy with life, on the courthouse steps, or before the altar, God knows our desires and groaning, and he answers in accordance with the intensity of our prayers. We are never alone and never in a place where He can't find our hearts. You can lie to others, and you can lie to yourself, but God sees you for what you are and waits on you to fervently desire His Son Jesus to redeem you, and when you do, then in that instant your sin is gone, and your salvation is secured forever.
This morning when we pray let's thank God for His faithfulness... for climbing the courthouse steps day after day for us. When the rest of the world is ready to give up on us, He waits. Let's change our heart's desire to wanting nothing more than His presence and forgiveness. Let's seek him with all the fervency our hearts can muster. Are we ready to do this today? Are we ready for Jesus to transform us?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for climbing the courthouse steps for us, and waiting for our hearts desires to turn towards you and Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord for seeing the truth in us, and judging us perfectly. Thank you for your Holy Word that renews and refreshes our spirits, and your Holy Spirit for giving us understanding of its meaning and its goodness as we read. Thank you Almighty God for loving us so much that you sent your Son Jesus Christ to live, suffer, die, and be resurrected that we would be redeemed; saved from our sin, and given eternal life. Holy, Holy, Holy are you our God who was, and is, and is to come. You are our merciful Father who pours out your gift of grace upon all who will come before you in contrition, and with a true heart for you and Jesus Christ. No matter our circumstances we renounce our old sinful ways, and even if unforgiven by man, we thank you for the perfect spiritual forgiveness we have in you. Praised be your name Lord, and worthy are you. In the redemption of each soul we give you all the glory forevermore. In hearing our fervent prayers, and seeing the longing in our heart for you, we know that your promise in Christ will be fulfilled, and our souls will be made new. Now, in our desire for you, we reach out for your embrace, and long to hear you say “This is my child in whom I am well pleased. Praised be your name Abba and forever our love for you.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, to the king of kings and God above all gods!
Amen!
Rich Forbes