Experiencing God's Presence #265

Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought.

1 Chronicles 28:9

David was nearing the end of his life with an unfulfilled dream still in his heart. He knew the promise about the dream, of course—that God would enable David’s son Solomon to build the temple David had envisioned. So the dream would be fulfilled, just not through David. Nevertheless, the man after God’s heart knew that such dreams are accomplished when the heart is right. God’s promises come to pass for those who prioritize Him.

That’s the strange dynamic with dreams and destinies. Our hearts can be filled with some great hope or vision, yet God must remain greater within us if that hope or vision is to thrive. That’s why David told Solomon to worship and serve the Lord with a whole heart and a willing mind. Not only is this the core of a relationship with Him, it’s a necessary condition for receiving all the benefits of that relationship. When the relationship is broken or supplanted by greater desires, we miss the Presence and all the blessings that come with it. Even if the object of our dream or vision is fulfilled, it’s less than it could have been. It’s only fulfilling when God comes with it. And God only comes with it when He is our greater desire.

Whatever is in your heart to do, even when you’re confident it’s from the Lord, don’t let it grow larger than Him. Get to know Him above all else. He already knows every thought in you and invites you to search out the thoughts in Him. That’s how He imparts His dreams, and that’s how dreams get fulfilled.

Lord, I have so many desires, so many dreams of things I want to do and want You to do in my life. Help me keep my desire for You above them all.

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