A Girl After God’s Own Heart – Reality check!

What kind of a heart is God looking for?  Our words and actions demonstrate who we really are inside, and I was very struck by this section of Scripture – especially by the last part.  How do I choose to use my mouth, my tongue, my heart, my prayers – me?  To honor God, or to say “it’s my life, I’ll do what I want,” one or the other.

In Psalm 66, the inspired writer says,

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;

Sing the glory of His name;

Make His praise glorious.

Say to God, “How awesome are your works!

Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You.

All the earth will worship You,

And they will sing praises to You;

They will sing praises to Your name.  Selah.

That word Selah directs the reader/listener to pause and think about what has just been said.  So let’s do it. Notice that he instructs all of creation to praise God and declare the awesomeness of His works.  Even those who do not actually love God have to give the appearance of obedience because there is no mistaking His power.  Even the most apathetic, unconcerned individual will make an appeal to their Maker when they find themselves in a really bad situation because they know He’s the only One who can help them.  Reality check #1: Does God only come to mind when I’m in a mess and need help, or am I continually talking about how awesome His works are regardless of my circumstances?

Come and see the works of God,

Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.

He turned the sea into dry land;

They passed through the river on foot;

There let us rejoice in Him!

He rules by His might forever;

His eyes keep watch on the nations;

Let not the rebellious exalt themselves.  Selah.

There it is again – Selah.  So let’s recap.  God has been awesome in His deeds toward mankind.  No question there – the writer brings to mind the account of the exodus as an example: over 2 million ex-slaves loaded with the wealth of the Egyptians made it safely to the other side of the Red Sea because God acted on their behalf (Exodus 1-15).  Even the godless nations who were to be conquered by said ex-slaves shook in their boots at the mention of God and His people because of this amazing event (Joshua 2:9-11).  Because of this, the writer says, “Let not the rebellious exalt themselves.”  Reality check #2: Do the historical events recorded in the Bible give me a better understanding of the immense power and purpose of the Almighty God, or am I the sum of all things in my own sight?

Bless our God, O peoples,

And sound His praise abroad,

Who keeps us in life

And does not allow our feet to slip.

For You have tried us, O God;

You have refined us as silver is refined.

You brought us into the net;

You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins.

You made men ride over our heads;

We went through fire and through water,

Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.

I shall come into Your house with burnt offerings;

I shall pay You my vows,

Which my lips uttered

And my mouth spoke when I was in distress.

I shall offer to You burnt offerings of fat beasts,

With the smoke of rams;

I shall make an offering of bulls with male goats.  Selah.

Wow.  This sounds a little extreme – being refined as silver?  Silver refining is a process of using intense heat to bring out and eliminate the impurities in the silver.  Notice that God was acknowledged as being there when these people were struggling!  The writer speaks of being tried by God: God allowed His people to undergo very difficult situations in order to test their resolve to serve Him.  This man cried out to Him and made requests for His help with vows of service.  The end result was that they were brought “into a place of abundance.”  And here is where we see the quality of heart in this person: he did not forget God simply because he was no longer in trouble!  On the contrary, the first thing on His mind is to go to the house of God to offer a sacrifice of worship to Him!  What promises did he make in exchange for God’s help?  Now it was time to honor those promises, and he was anxious to do so.  Reality check #3: Is it my first response to show honor to God when He brings me through a difficult situation, or do I breathe a sigh of relief and go about my life like nothing happened?

And now for my favorite part:

Come and hear, all who fear God,

And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.

I cried to Him with my mouth,

And He was extolled with my tongue.

If I regard wickedness in my heart,

The Lord will not hear;

But certainly God has heard;

He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.

Blessed be God,

Who has not turned away from my prayer

Nor His lovingkindness from me.

Now the writer gets personal.  Notice all the personal pronouns: MY soul, MY mouth, MY tongue, MY heart, MY prayer – ME.  This man was practicing what he preached.  He would tell others about his personal experience of the mercy of God.  He also points out that people who insist on harboring wicked intentions can call on God all they want but their prayers will be of no benefit to them.  God looks for a heart that desires to honor Him in word and action… and for a people who will follow through on that desire.  Reality check #4: Can this be said of me?