At the end of the day, what does God truly desire from you and me?
Does he want our money? Our church attendance? High morals and spirituality? What about Bible knowledge?
When the prophet Hosea lived, God’s people were focusing on religious activities, sacrifices and burnt offerings. Yet their heart was far from God.
God told Hosea to tell the people: “I want faithful love more than I want animal sacrifices. I want people to know me more than I want burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6 NCV)
The simple thing that God desires is for us to love Him. He simply wants us to “know” Him, not just know about Him.
So, who is God to you? Is He arbitrary? Can you visualize Him?
Can you rest and marinate in His character, His love for you, and the fact He wants a “relationship” more than religion?
Imagine your most enjoyable, intimate, close, confidential, and meaningful relationship. That may resemble something similar as to what God desires for and from us.
The Apostle John said “And so we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love. God is love. Those who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. We love because God first loved us.” (1 John 4:16, 19 NCV)
Imagine God loving you when you don’t or haven’t loved Him. God gave us Christ when we were not looking to be rescued or having our soul saved.
“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NIV)
God gives us life. God gives us pure and real love. God gives us perfect counsel and therapy in His Bible. God saves our souls by offering His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
God gives us the free gift of Christ. All we have to do is believe, trust, accept, follow - and love and know Him. Christ said “If you love me, you will follow my commands.” (John 14:15)
We become spiritually mature and follow God’s ways, Christ ways, not out of duty, but because we love Him. It’s like me being true, faithful and kind, serving my wife because I love her.
Love drives our lifestyle. Knowing God defines us. God is for us. He doesn’t steal your fun, He gives deep joy, strong confidence, clear direction, and provides a love that we would never have without Him.
GOD, your commands are for our own good. Your ways bring true life and true enjoyment of life. And your Son is the only way to heaven, happiness, and eternal life. So just thank you a thousand times. Help us to love and know you more and more. IJNIP amen ♥️
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