Back to His Heart

by Pastor Cory

Of all the questions I get daily, I could probably summarize 90% of them with a version of, “am i good enough?” We’re a task driven society, and thus think God is judging us likewise. And that thinking determines, that if we do the right things while making sure to not do the wrong things, then we’ll have God’s approval. But time and time again, Scripture tells us that God looks on our hearts.

I’m reminded of a worship song from the late 90’s by Matt Redman, entitled “Heart of Worship”. As beautiful as the song was, the story behind it is even more thought provoking...

Redman was music leader of a church that was on the cusp of the Christian music scene at the time. The worship was cutting edge and the church had garnered a large following because of the rocking scene. But during this time, the pastor realized that although they had a good thing going, it was missing God’s heart. They had focused on their own talents and abilities and forgotten God’s work through it all. So, the pastor did a very bold thing, and shut all the instruments, sound equipment and lights down, and made it just about the voices. A personal reflection. While stripped of their talents, the church came back to a focus on God and His direction for their lives. And it was through this that Redman penned these words:

When the music fades, all is stripped away, and I simply come longing just to bring, something that’s of worth, that will bless Your heart...

I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus I’m sorry Lord, for the thing I’ve made it Because it’s all about You, it’s all about You Jesus.

In Matthew 15:8, Jesus (quoting the prophet Isaiah) says, "These people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me.” How easy is it for us to slip into ‘lip service’ and totally miss God’s heart. We make sure to do all the good things we should; make sure to obey all the commandments; make sure we’re in church; make sure we give; make sure we serve; make sure we speak right and act accordingly. But Jesus is ultimately saying, ‘all the good you do, isn’t right if your heart is wrong.’ Jesus even gave an analogy in Matthew 5, where He said that if you are on your way to give an offering at the altar and remember that you have something in your heart against someone, that you should set your offering down and go make your heart right first.

If you were to strip away all the ‘good’ facades and all the things you ‘do’ for Him, what is it that you bring Him that will bless His heart? Where is your heart? The greatest commandment is to love Him with all your heart. The one thing He requires of us, is our heart. Your obedience to His commands is fruitless if your heart isn’t wrapped in His.

Now hear me, I’m not saying we stop doing good. On the contrary, when we come back to His heart, the good will be a natural byproduct. We don’t obey God based on what He’ll do for us, but based on who He is and our love for Him. And when you love Him, then the commandments, the giving, the serving, and the actions will line up accordingly. But, it starts with coming back to His heart.

I encourage you today, take note of your actions and deeds. Don’t just do them because you have to, do them because your heart pursues His.