Blog

God Alone Examines Our Hearts

By: Dana Parrish

Posted: March 1, 2016

Category: Daily Devotional

“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2: 4

God’s word always has a message for me, but then there are times when a big, fat, red light is flashing in my face and God is saying, “Look and remember Me!” This is one of those mornings. For the third day in a row I have picked up scripture that reminds me to live for God not the world. My desire to people please has been on hyper drive lately and it makes me crazy and brings me down. Usually these are times when I haven’t been diligent in starting my days in God’s word.

I’ve been a people pleaser my entire life, so sometimes I fall into that trap and don’t even realize it until days like today. Then God speaks almost audibly and suddenly, peace is mine again. Reading God’s word has reminded me that I actually don’t have to please a single person on this planet.  There is freedom in that truth. I am instructed to please God. I fall into the trap of worrying that speaking God’s truth may offend someone. I lay awake at night and can’t sleep. I get so worried that someone may be angry that I said what I said about the Bible. Then I read His word again and after lots of praying, my heavenly Father gently reminds me I am here for Him and His purposes, not people. If I speak His truth with love and not condemnation, He will take care of the rest.

I cannot explain with words the peace that has hijacked my body at this moment. It is like I have been holding my breath and I can finally breathe again. The reminder that “He alone examines the motives of our hearts” was good to my soul this morning. This comes as no surprise because that is what God’s word is meant to do. I actually don’t have to defend God’s truth because God can take care of that. He is a big God well equipped to handle anything that comes His way. He can handle the tough stuff, I don’t have to. All I have to do is follow Him. I give myself too much credit and not enough to God. This verse this morning brought a fresh start to my day.

Prayer

Gracious God, I pray this morning that Your truths permeate my life. I pray for courage to boldly and with lots of love speak truth in Your name remembering that You bring goodness in all things. Help me, Jesus, not to worry about tomorrow because You are already there. I love You and thank You that You love me in all of my brokenness. I pray, Lord, that I remember that my job is to please You, not people. In Jesus Name, Amen.