I Have to Want to Hear from God

In review of Deuteronomy 4:29 it says, “You will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him” (NLT).

Today's verse comes from Duet 4:15-29, where Moses gives a warning to the people against idolatry. He tells them to be very careful to not corrupt themselves by making an idol in any form. This is evil in the sight of the Lord your God and will only arouse his anger. If you do go astray he will scatter and bring ultimate judgement upon you. However if you search again for the Lord your God with all your heart and soul, you will find him.

Idol worship is not just keeping statues, it is a commitment to other evil qualities, beliefs, and practices the idol represents. When the strengths and attributes of powerful humans or animals are revered or the cycles of nature are honored without reference to God who created them, this is idolatry.

God promised the Israelites that they would find him when they searched for Him with all their hearts and souls. God wants to be known, but we have to want to know him. Acts of service and worship on our end must be accompanied by sincere devotion of the heart. God will reward those who pursue a relationship with him.

This means that I’m not going to hear God unless I really, really want it. It’s not just an option nicety. It is a necessity!

God doesn’t tell me his dream for my life if I want to debate it. God doesn’t tell me his vision for my life if I want to discuss it. God doesn’t tell me what he put me on Earth to do just so I can say, “Let me think about it.”

It has to be a necessity. I have to say, “I’ve got to know why I’m here. I’ve got to know what you want me to do with my life. I’ve got to hear your voice. I’ve got to have your vision.”

King David wrote in the book of Psalms, “My God, I want to do what you want” (Psalm 40:8 NCV) and “What I want most of all and at all times is to honor your laws” (Psalm 119:20 CEV).

David was passionate in his declaration that what he wanted most of all was to honor God. Being obedient and following God were not options for him. It was the only thing David wanted to do. He used phrases for seeking God like, “I long for it,” “I crave it,” “I hunger for it,” and “I’m like a deer panting for water.”

When I get that desperate, I’m going to hear from God.

A lot of people talk to God but never hear from God. For them, prayer is a monologue. But you can’t have a relationship through a monologue. I’ve got to have a conversation. Just as important as talking to God in prayer is listening to God and letting him talk to me. In order to make this happen I need to want it more than anything else.

Deuteronomy 4:29 says, “You will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him” (NLT). It’s guaranteed!

Bottom Line:

If you search for God with all your heart, you will find him.

What this means to me:

If I want to hear from God all I need to do is search him with all my heart and soul.

Being obedient and following are not just an option. They are all that I live for. This morning I pray that I don’t get sidetracked or caught up just in myself, but that I really search and seek out a relationship with God. Learn to listen, even more than speak. I also pray that you help guide me in my relationships with others. Give me guidance in handling work and priorities today.