August 2014

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". . .let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
Romans 12: 2b


"Are You Sure?"


    When David wanted to build a beautiful cedar palace to replace the tabernacle tent, God said to Nathan the prophet:


. . . I have never once complained to Israel's leaders, the shepherds of my people.  I have never asked them, "Why haven't you built me a beautiful cedar house?"  I Chronicles 17:6


    Perhaps David thought God wanted a beautiful cedar palace because that's what David wanted and had, in fact, already built for himself.  David thought the tabernacle tent to be an inferior dwelling place for God, and wanted to build something "better" for Him.  But God had never complained or asked for an "upgrade."

    How well do we know God?  Are we quiet in His presence long enough to know what He really wants?  Or are we always talking, always telling Him what we want so that we mistake our desires for His own?  What does God really want?


He has shown you, O man, what is good; What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?  Micah 6:8


If you love Me, keep My commandments.  John 14:15

 

    Why do we want to build elaborate cedar palaces of service or sacrifice for Him? Is it because we love Him and want to honor Him?  I believe this was the desire of David's heart because God blessed David, giving him an everlasting dynasty.  Do we do what we do out of a pure heart of devotion as David did, or so we can feel good about building elaborate palaces of doing?  Are we saying, "Look what I've made with my hands!" or "Lord, make me with Your hands"?

    What does God really want from me?  I've been asking myself this a lot, lately.

    One morning my three-year-old granddaughter looked up at me, and in all seriousness asked, "Grandma, do I look familiar?" I chuckled and assured her that, yes, she did.  Hand on hip, she asked skeptically, "Are you sure?"

    "Daye, do I look familiar?" I imagine God asking me sometimes.

    I, who have been in church regularly my whole life, chuckle, and without really thinking about it respond, "Of course!"

    "Are you sure?" He asks.



Daye Phillippo

August 2014