What Do You Want?

​Oswald Chambers wrote a devotional entitled “What Do You Want?” The point of his message was that God is more concerned about us having a close relationship with Him than in our receiving gifts from Him. “There is nothing easier than getting into a right relationship with God except when it is not God Whom you want but only what He gives.”[1]Getting what we want may directly oppose what God knows we need and will provide in His perfect timing because it will have greater work not just in our lives but, most importantly, in our relationship with Him.

Meditation
Jeremiah 45:5--But as for you, do you seek great things for yourself? Stop seeking! For I am about to bring disaster on every living creature’—this is the Lord’s declaration—‘but I will grant you your life like the spoils of war wherever you go.’”
 
Baruch was a prominent scribe who recorded the words the prophet Jeremiah dictated and often supported him in his work. However, God saw his heart and desire for greatness and rebuked him in Jer. 45:5. Baruch did not understand God’s plan and purpose for Judah through judgment. Nor did his focus appear to be on deepening his walk with God.

It is easy for us to slide into the place of self-focus, making our wants most prominent.  What do I want? It is a revealing question. I am rebuked by my self-centeredness and desire to have what seems essential to me.  Is my self-seeking at the expense of pursuing the One who knows what is best for me? 

John MacArthur wrote: 
Mankind wants glory.  We want health.  We want wealth.  We want happiness.  We want all our felt needs met, all our little human itches scratched.  We want a painless life.  We want the crown without the cross.  We want the gain without the pain.  We want the words of Christ’s salvation to be easy.
            
When my eyes are on Jesus, my perspective immediately changes.  When my heart is devoted to knowing Him, my life, regardless of circumstances, is on the right course. He becomes the focus.   How do we know we are improving in this arena? We stop operating out of anxiety, pride, and the quest to satiate our desires. Others see Jesus at work in our behavior, character, and attitude.  We discern what truly matters instead of chasing what will ultimately burn. We radiate peace. 
            
What do you want?  How you answer the question will speak volumes about your walk with your Creator.
 
Inspiration
“When you draw near to God, you cease from asking for things.”—Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest
 
©2023 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you want to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)
 


[1] Chambers, O. (1935). April 27th What Do You Want? My Utmost for His Highest. Dodd, Mead & Company.