Hearing His Voice #53

[God said,] “The LORD will be your delight. I will give you great honor.”

Isaiah 58:14

FROM THE HEART OF GOD

“When you stop trying to figure Me out, when you stop trying to relate to Me as a set of principles, when you stop trying be religious or ‘spiritual,’ and instead seek to know Me and show concern for the desires of My heart, you will experience a new delight and favor in your life. When you truly turn toward Me, you will find Me turning toward you in unusual ways. I respond to those who come to Me with the assumption that I want to share My passions with them. When you lean against Me to listen to My heartbeat—and let the heartbeat of your life align with it—I will give you great honor.

“Do not mistake this invitation for a step to fulfill or a hoop to jump through in order to please Me. Many people come to Me saying they want to know Me, but what they really want is for Me to do something for them. They want to see themselves or be seen by others as a person who ‘knows God,’ but they aren’t actually interested in My deep desires. I know your motives, and I know when you’re really after something else. I want a heart connection. I delight in you already, and I want you to delight in Me.

“You can never earn My favor, but you can step into the favor I’ve already offered and given. Many will tell you that life with Me doesn’t decrease the number of struggles in your life, but they are wrong if they assume that My presence doesn’t increase your ability to overcome obstacles. My favor isn’t theoretical; it’s real. It’s tangible. You can experience it. When I choose to honor you, you will overcome difficulties and win victories, even if the battle is difficult. Delight in Me, and I will satisfy your heart with good things.”

Lord, I really do want to know You, and not simply because I want Your blessings. Of course I want Your blessings, but more than that, I need to connect with You—to experience Your closeness. Please give me Your heartbeat.