CHANGE MY HEART O GOD
The Lord directed me to Hosea 6:6 recently, and the prophet’s words really challenged me and spoke to my heart, and I will print out a number of translations, and make some comments.
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings NKJV
I’m after love that lasts, not more religion. I want you to know God, not go to more prayer meetings. MESSAGE
For I desire and delight in dutiful steadfast love and goodness, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of and acquaintance with God more than burnt offerings. AMP
I remember as a teenager starting to realise that GOD SEES IN THE DARK, it shook me up, but didn’t really stop me sinning. I have come to see more and more as I grow older that God not only sees in the dark, but sees the inner recesses of our heart. Every day I ask the Lord to check out my MOTIVES AND ATTITUDES, other people may think our motivations are pure, but only God truly knows why we do and say things.
Hosea challenges God’s people about being stinkingly religious but not really loving and serving the Lord. For many it was easy to procure an animal and sacrifice it, but they were just going through the motions and doing what was the accepted thing. They and others may feel they were pleasing God, but it was a waste of time, as God saw into their heart.
LOOK AT WHAT GOD WANTS
- A steadfast lasting (constant) love for Him
- A genuine relationship with God not just an occasional connection
There is something in human nature that somehow thinks if they do “stuff” like under the Old Covenant offer animal sacrifices, that they are pleasing God.
Under the New Covenant the Message Bible says just because you go to prayer meetings it can simple be works that will not please God. wow!!!!!
The Scriptures are replete with prayers about asking God to SEARCH OUR HEARTS, and speaking personally something I have to pray often, because of the depravity of my heart, and so for me to easily let my heart fool me.
Of course we must be busy wisely loving and serving the Lord, but ever keep checking out our heart.
I have written the above not to condemn you, but to challenge and encourage you, to love and serve the Lord with a pure heart.
