The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Why""
"Of all the issues we face in walking with God, none can possibly more lead us to the throne of grace than the need to be either confirmed or corrected by the One who not only sees our motivations, but who can do something about them when necessary."
Why? It's a pesky little word that as much as any other aspect of the believer's relationship to God keeps us coming to Him for His grace, leading, and enabling.
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).
Scripture clearly teaches that we can do the right thing. However, if our motives do not align with our actions, and in fact, if they do not originate what we do, the supposed "right thing" crashes on the rocks of sin and wrong. The Apostle Paul spoke to this in the most extreme terms:
"If I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (love), it profiteth me nothing" (I Corinthians 13:3).
On the surface, this would seem to paralyze us all in our walk with God. How can we possibly know the whys and wherefores of our doings? "Verily, I have cleansed my heart in vain" (Psalm 73:13). Motive runs deeply as a subterranean stream far beyond our discovery and understanding. Thankfully, our inability actually places us in the perfect position to respond to our Heavenly Father in the way whereby we live the entirety of our Christian life. "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17). We ask Him to answer the question of "Why?"
"Search me, o God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24).
The One who dwells deeply within us knows all. "Thou God seest me" (Genesis 16:13). He and He alone can address the matter of motivation. We play a role, of course, by availing ourselves of the gifts He gives to know His evaluation (the Holy Spirit; the Scriptures; fellow believers; providential working). However, when it comes to "Why?," Solomon's wisdom becomes paramount in seeking the answer: "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). Indeed, of all the issues we face in walking with God, none more lead us to the throne of grace than the need to be either confirmed or corrected by the One who not only sees our motivations, but who can do something about them when necessary. As the prophet so wisely prayed, "O Lord, correct me" (Jeremiah 10:24).
"Why?" Small word. Enormous significance and consequence. Let us keep our seeking for God's seeking much in our requests as we purify our hearts by the only way possible, namely, by directing our "Why?" to the only One who knows the answer…
"Cleanse Thou me from secret faults.."
(Psalm 19:12)
Weekly Memory Verse
"Cleanse Thou me from secret faults."
(Psalm 19:12)
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