The Real Question

Proverbs 28:9 “If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.”

You could easily read over this and not think twice; However, if you look at it more closely, or if you’re an analytical nerd like myself and use your concordance for more depth, you find that this verse can be translated “if anyone ignores, avoids, turns away from the law of God, even his prayers are an abomination, hateful and revolting to God.”

That’s pretty strongly put, my friends. God hears our prayers; he always HEARS them, however, he also hears our intentions as clearly as he hears our words. God may not listen to our prayers if we intend to go back to our sin as soon as we pop up off of our knees. He doesn’t close his ears to us because of the “level” of our sin, but rather to the quiet and “secret” intention to do it again. I know, wow. We all make mistakes and they are all equal in the eyes of God, but only a fool will repeat them. Unfortunately, I’ve been foolish many times.

This verse cross references to Psalm 66:19 “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” Confession is continual as we continue to sin, but we should be sure that true confession takes place and our hearts desire is to stop doing what we know is wrong.

David says in Psalm 19:12-14 “…forgive my hidden faults Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me… may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” That’s my prayer today and always.

It’s always a struggle to “repent” and then not fall back into the same sin. Well if repent means to completely turn away from, then I guess it’s not true repentance every time, but more or less a “feel better about myself” confession. How sad.

This all came from a journal entry I had written a few months back and came to my attention again when the pastor of my new church home in Tuscaloosa preached a sermon that entailed how people of this world want God only when they need him. Thinking this through, I thought, the question that we far to often rate our relationship with God on is: “Am I satisfied with God?” It’s a selfish thought process. Everything is always centered on US. What can God do for me rather than what can I do for God.

The question we really should be asking is: “Is God satisfied with me?” I don’t know about you, but when I begin to process the depths of that, my very soul begins to wilt at the idea that I have not tried with all my being, everyday, to bring glory to God. I made it the new question to start and end each day. I want to be pure before my God. I want to glorify him in all I do. Oh, create in me a clean heart daily, Lord, for I want you to be satisfied with me.

Psalm 51:9-11

“Don’t keep looking at my sins.

Remove the stain of my guilt.

Create in me a clean heart, O God.

Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Do not banish me from your presence,

And don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.”