But What If I Don't Want It?

January 20, 2021

Teach me your decrees, O LORD; I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you. Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good. I long to obey your commandments!  Renew my life with your goodness. Psalm 119:33-40 NLT 

Honesty check here. Transparency and vulnerability are vital to intimacy with God. But we also know that people who have an intimate relationship trust Him more than themselves and their own wisdom. They want His will and way more than anything else. To be honest, that doesn’t always describe me. How about you? What do you do when you know there is something you want more in the moment than God’s way?  

Here’s a great opportunity for you to invest time in study like we mentioned yesterday. The author of this Psalm admits that his heart is having a hard time wanting God more than anything. He says aloud what he will do about it and asks for God’s help. Why don’t you read these verses and personally apply the instructions to your own heart? 

• God, teach me what You desire and help me truly understand it. 
• Help me follow Your commands for my own good, for my own happiness.
• Help me be more passionate about obeying You than any personal gain.
• Help me realize when I am focusing on what is worthless.
• Give me life through Your Word and promises.   
• Help me abandon my shameful ways, my bad habits and thoughts, never to restart them again.
• Renew my life with all that is good—that is YOU! 

Sit and listen for a while. Write down what you feel God speaking to you. See what God does with your reluctant heart.