Wednesday, May 25, 2011

PopDEVO: "Would You Hire God?" - James MacDonald

"Devotion to Jesus by the Body of Christ"

OUR JOURNEY

Would You Hire God?

James MacDonald

¹Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. ²After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. ³Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth. — Hosea 6:1-3

Have you ever thought about how awesome God’s resume would look? Traits: All-powerful, all-knowing, infinitely loving and merciful, everlastingly faithful. Accomplishments: Created the universe, oversees the ongoing sustenance of the world. Hobbies include parting huge bodies of water (favorite: Red Sea).

Obviously, God needs no resume; and, even if He did, we would have to go well beyond words on a cold piece of paper to pursue knowledge of Him. Sadly, many people know facts about God, but few possess a “heart understanding” of those facts’ significance. Fewer still have any personal experience with the blessings of God.

God wants you to know Him. The prophet Hosea tells us how when he writes, “Let us press on to know the Lord” (Hosea 6:3). Just like today, many in that era some 2,700 years ago allowed blessings to distract them from, rather than help them, in developing a deeper relationship with God. But amid that spiritual wilderness, Hosea conveys some key points:

1. It’s possible. If you hear a voice telling you otherwise, know that it’s not God, but Satan, who is attacking the knowledge of God in your life (2 Corinthians 10:5). Consider Hosea 6:6: “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

2. It’s available. Hosea writes, “His going forth is as sure as the dawn” (6:3). Now, how worried are you that the sun won’t come up tomorrow morning? Be assured that every moment God is going forth into the world He created, and showing Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are yielded to Him.

3. It’s abundant. Right now you might be thinking, but James, my problems are a lot bigger than the knowledge of God could solve. You sure about that? Why don’t you invite God, in all of His sufficiency and power and loving kindness, into the center of your circumstances, and let me know in a month how you’re doing?

Here’s a wonderful truth: A man will begin to prepare his heart to seek the Lord when he’s convinced God will respond in grace. Hosea 6:1 says, “For he has torn us, that he may heal us.”

Wherever you are, pursue the knowledge of God. The rewards are well worth it: God will restore, He will revive, He will raise up.

Prayer: Father, I do want to know You, but sometimes You seem so far off. I know that’s because of my lack of faith. Prepare my heart, and by Your Spirit, convince me that You will respond in grace. Thank You for pursuing me, even when I’m not pursuing You. Help me to know You, not just about You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Journal: