By Kingsley Baehr
What does God hear when we decide to take a minute out of our busy schedule to talk to Him?
Remember, the Bible tells us that
“God looks on the heart.” Samuel 16:7
and that
“The LORD searches all hearts and under-stands all the intent of the thoughts.” 1 Chronicles 28:9
Would He hear something like the following:
“O Lord, nobody understands me; I find it hard to believe that You do.”
But what does God tell us?
O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. Psalm 139:1-4
Or maybe this is what He would hear:
O kind and easygoing Father, I have occasionally been guilty of errors of judgment, mostly because of my back-ground. Sometimes I have messed up, but I have done the best I could under the circum-stances. So I think I’m pretty normal. So, please, O Lord, be nice to me when I goof up. I admit I’m not perfect. Be tolerant as I expect you to be. As an indulgent Parent, allow me to continue to live a harmless and happy life from now on and to keep my self-respect.
But God has already told us:
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Rom. 1:18
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.John 3:36
We cannot fake God out. We cannot deceive Him into believing our words when our hearts are saying something different. But what if God heard us pray from our hearts:
“O holy God, I am so sorry for my sin that is an offense to you. I am a sinner incapable of pleasing you on my own. I am helpless to save myself. I repent and throw myself upon Your grace and mercy and plead with you to forgive me of my sins, because Your Son Jesus gave His life to pay my penalty of death in my place. Thank You for Your love and gift of eternal life.”
His glad and joyful response would be:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you [to Myself]. Jeremiah 31:3
“And I give [you] eternal life, and [you] shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch [you] out of My hand.” John 10:28
May I plead with you today— Do not try to fool God any more. Surrender to Him and experience the great joy of knowing that your sin has been forgiven and you are on your way to His home in heaven.He is waiting for you to call on Him right now.