What?

 We can get really frustrated trying to figure out what God wants from us. We tend to put it in terms of "keeping score," doing more good things to make up for whatever failures that have taken place. Or we make it about keeping rules. God is big on giving directions. Didn't He give us the Ten Commandments? For some it's about living a life of denying ourselves things we might want. This shows Him how dedicated we are. Or, we try to "buy God" by making lots of generous financial offerings. Give lots of money and He'll be pleased. They're all wrong, and they're wrong because they focus on the foolish belief that we can please God by our own efforts and works.

In Hosea 6:6, the Father says, "I don't want your sacrifices. I want your love. I don't want your offerings. I want you to know Me." He's not after our effort. He's after us. He's after you. He loves you passionately, and He longs for your love in return. This is a reality too few of us ever realize. He longs for us. He longs for intimacy with us. Yes, He wants us to live well and to live right. To do right, but not out of a sense of duty, but from a heart filled with love for Him. Not out of a desire to earn His approval, but from a heart of gratitude and joy over knowing and experiencing His love. That His love is flowing through us.

Jesus came and announced that, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light. No one comes to the Father except by Me." We can't reach Him by our good works and sacrificial efforts. We'll just keep bumping up against a closed door. Jesus came to be the Door, to be the Bridge between a fallen human race and a holy God. He's an open door to every heart that yields trying to have Him by our own merit and simply throws itself upon His. 

We tend to look at the Old Testament as being focused only on the laws of God, yet it's there that we see His answer as to just what it is He desires from us. Micah 6:8 reads, ".....the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you, to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." We may be able to do what's right. We may even be able to show mercy, but we cannot walk humbly with Him apart from His grace, and it's His grace that enables us to both yield to Him and to truly love Him. It's not about rule keeping. It's not about trying our hardest. It's about wanting to be in His company, walking with Him, learning of Him, loving Him. His heart yearns for us, not our performance. He wants us. He wants you. 

Blessings,

Pastor O