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A Prayer for Reflecting on Our Motivation for Loving God

“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” Job 1:9-11

Heavenly Father, I sometimes wonder if Satan watches American religious television, or spends his time thumbing through many popular Christian books, because he’d certainly find a bunch of material to work with. There’s a lot there he could use to substantiate his charge that the only reason we love you is because of the goodies you give us, the comforts you bring us and the riches you loan us. But instead of being cynical, please show me to what extent I’d have to say, “guilty as charged.” What affects the ebb and flow of my affection for you, Father?

On this Thanksgiving Day Eve, my list of “creature comforts” is long, even longer than I realize.  I don’t have anything especially whine-worthy going on. There’s nothing moving me to question your goodness or leading me to cry, “Where are you, Lord?, What are you thinking?” I’ve got good health; there’s more check left over at the end of the month; none of my family members are in crisis. Nothing beyond the normal fallen-ness and brokenness of life is happening around me or within me.

I presume on none of these kind providences and mercy provisions, Father. I don’t take any of your good gifts for granted. I don’t think I struggle with entitlement as much as I used to, and the gospel has certainly convinced me that everything I have comes from you (1 Cor. 4:7). But Satan’s question always remains current: Why do I love you? What’s my motivation for worshiping you? How will I think about you the next time I suffer loss, betrayal and pain? That, no doubt, will happen, again. What would happen if I were to go through a significant loss—a major gut-wrenching heart-breaking doubt-fueling season? I don’t need to camp out there, but at least consider such a story-line.

I know what I want to be true. I want to be your child who loves and worships you simply because you are God. There’s no other god besides you, and there’s certainly no other god like you. I know this to be true only because the gospel is true. I want to adore you because you’ve hidden my life in Christ, even during times when I feel like you’re hiding from me. I love you because you first loved me and gave Jesus for me, period. I’m grateful for your creature gifts, but I want to love and worship you, as the primary treasure of my heart. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus exalted and glorious name.

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