The Lord Wants

“'Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which is translated, 'God with us.” Matthew 1:23

The Lord Wants

What the Lord Wants from Us

“What does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?” (Deut. 10:12–13).

This week’s Scripture passage answers the question, “What does God want from me?” Take a moment and read the verses again, underlining what “the Lord your God require (s) of you.” They break down into five simple actions—to fear, to walk, to love, to serve and to keep.

TO FEAR—God has given us the capacity both to know Him intimately and still to live in awe of His majesty. We can begin to develop here and now the attitude that will fill the atmosphere of heaven. We shouldn’t be afraid of God, but instead fear Him with deep respect and worship.

TO WALK—God has given us life, and through a relationship with His Son, Christ Jesus, He has given it to us more abundantly! He has laid out certain “ways” in His Word that, if we follow them, will produce the best kind of living for us.

TO LOVE—God loves us and then allows us to love Him back. If we put this requirement into action, we will automatically meet the other four. But it will involve our whole selves—heart, soul, mind and strength.

TO SERVE—God doesn’t lack power, and He doesn’t ask us to serve Him because there’s too much to do. He designed us to find our greatest sense of satisfaction and purpose in service. We serve God as we serve one another.

TO KEEP—God gave us His commandments, not to break or ignore, but to “keep.” This use of “keep” emphasizes knowledge and obedience. When we know what God wants from us, it is then up to us to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).

Notice the last three words of these verses—“for your good.” None of God’s requirements benefit Him. They are for us. God’s Word benefits us. God will never ask us to do something that is not ultimately for our good. God doesn’t give us difficult assignments because He loves to see us struggle, but because He loves us so much He wants to help us really grow. The hardest challenges we face turn out to be the best things for us.

APPLY IT

The first and last questions above involve some kind of list. These lists are different than the ones we usually bring to God. Those lists are usually made up of the “requirements” or requests we have for God to carry out for us or for others. These lists are thoughtful reflections on all that God has done. Write out an extended list of all the things God has done for you. Choose ten or so things from this list, write them on an index card and put the card in a place that you can see it often throughout your day.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXPRESS IT

Take the list above, and turn it into prayer. Talk to God about the “great and awesome things” He has done for you. Go into detail. Take your time. Count those blessings, and name them one by one. It will surprise, delight and overwhelm you just how much the Lord has done!

REMEMBER IT

1. God will be extra nice to those who bring Him bribes.

True/False

2. The Israelites were once strangers (aliens) in

a. Ethiopia

b. Egypt

c. Lebanon

d. Syria

3. God brings justice to ____ and the widows.

4. The Israelites were as numerous as the _____.

5. Only the living things on earth belong to

God.