Only Half-Heartedly
“But they flattered Him with their mouths; they lied to Him with their tongues. Their heart was not steadfast toward Him; they were not faithful to His covenant.” Psalm 78:36-37ESV
Psalm 78 Asaph tells the Israelites and readers, ‘Y’all had better warn your kids about our age old story of half-hearted-worship of Yahweh God— not trusting or being satisfied by God’s many miracles — choosing to worship idols— suffering consequences— angering God Almighty— His ever vigilant grace. Repeat. Finally, the straw, which broke the camel’s back, turned grace away; raised God’s hand of mercy; allowed satan to reward himself for causing Israelites to sin; God got blamed—’ “When He killed them, they sought Him; they repented and sought God earnestly. They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their Redeemer” Psalm 78:34-35ESV — Seeking half-heartedly.
Strange isn’t it, how an Israelite or Christian— when severe punishment comes, 90% of the time— seeks God in repentance? Yahweh knows when the repentance is heartfelt— totally sincere. He, also, knows some people have, what Dad called ‘jailhouse conversions’— Get out of jail and they’re no longer converted. Lip service, no real heart change is ‘jailhouse conversion.’ This is rampant today in God’s church. Are we scared or truly seeking?
Our times are frightening, WHEN we look at circumstances. There’s a separation occurring between sheep and those we thought were sheep— but are really goats. Church doors are still closed, no longer truly because of COVID-19. Rather, it was more ‘faith of their fathers,’ not faith of their own.
Let me give us all some truth— We cannot: — afford to trust in our churches’ relationships with God. — afford to trust in our pastors’ relationships with God. — afford to trust our government to have our best interests at heart. — afford to trust our medical services to have our best interests in mind.
We mustn’t give Yahweh lip service— aka —flattering words. He knows EVERY thought, every intent; every fear; every loyalty; every disloyalty to Himself. “For the Word of God… penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Trying to hide our thoughts from God is like my three year old great-grandson playing hide-and-seek with me, thinking— ‘if I can’t see grandma, she can’t see me.’ I heard his little thoughts, as he stood in the clothes basket, body showing between the basket top and the hanging clothes surrounding his head. Grabbing him and pulling him out of the basket— squealing ‘I found you,’ ended in giggles.
God can’t grab us and play because sin causes people to feel shame and keep hiding. Rather than confessing sin openly, we’re prone to find another ‘god’ to follow. Why? Because we don’t trust God to really have our backs.
How do we do what Solomon instructs? — Proverbs 3:5-6TPT “Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with Him in whatever you do, and He will lead you wherever you go.”
Answer: We make our heart and mind become steadfast in the Lord. 2Corinthians 10:5ESV “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,.”
Singing praises at church, thoughts kept trying to force themselves into my mind and sidetrack me from worshipping God. I whispered, ‘In the name of Jesus, I bring my thoughts captive to Christ.’ Wayward thoughts left. Heartfelt singing began. What are we willing to do to become steadfast? It’s your choice. You choose.
LET’S PRAY: Papa God You deserve all praise and glory from hearts intent on loving You. Help our hearts to be completely Yours, steadfast and true, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
by Debbie Veilleux Copyright 2021 You have my permission to reblog this devotional for others. Please keep my name with this devotional, as author. Thank you.
