The Lord Listens
I have felt on many occasions that my prayers are hitting the ceiling of my house. As I keep walking with the Lord, I realize that He ALWAYS listens to the cry of my heart. I know that He’s heard my heart’s cry even when it was corrupted by sin. The Lord has always looked past behavior to see my heart. My heart is sometimes divided and conflicted. I know what I should do, but I end up not doing that.
Unfortunately I can relate to the people of Israel. They say they love the Lord, but their hearts reveal a divided and conflicted heart. King Jehoahaz followed his dad, Jehu, who had been charged with cleaning up idolatry and corruption. He was 23 when he became king and he did evil in God’s eyes. His conflicted heart caused Jehoahaz to reach out to the Lord. Check this out…
4 Then Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and the Lord listened to him, for he saw how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel. 5 The Lord provided a deliverer for Israel, and they escaped from the power of Aram. So the Israelites lived in their own homes as they had before. 6 But they did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit; they continued in them. Also, the Asherah pole remained standing in Samaria. (2 Kings 13:4-6 NIV)
I’m at a much different place in my journey with the Lord. I feel like my heart, while still conflicted at times, is much more like God’s heart than it ever has been. I really want to take down the idols of my heart that cause the conflict with God’s heart. I want to lay down my pride. I want to lay down my self-centered desires. I want to be known for loving like God loves. I want to be known for seeking the Lord’s favor. The problem with some of the idols is that they after taking them down, they seem to resurrect themselves with very short notice – if any. I want to walk in step with the Lord so that He can help me keep my heart in check and undivided. I want my heart to be 100% in pursuit of His Will and His Way NOT my own way.
Pressing On!
Dwayne