Though we may struggle with accepting at times, most of us understand what we need and what we want can be quite different. However, as a child might want ice cream for every meal and has a loving parent who makes sure they are getting the nourishing foods they actually need, do we sometimes still find ourselves struggling to accept needs over wants even as it applies to our spiritual growth?
Now, let us also consider when it comes to our view of God, are we keeping the need and want associated with Him in proper perspective? Speaking in the Areopagus at Athens where those who loved to talk and hear about things considered new would gather (Acts 17:21), in contrast to all the objects of worship there (Acts 17:22-23), Paul spoke about the living God as we read. . .
“(24) The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, (25) nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” (Acts 17:24-25 ESV)
What does God — the Creator of all things — need from us? What could we ever give to God that He would be indebted to us? (note Romans 11:34-35) God can accomplish anything He desires in any way He chooses and without the use of any of our resources. Though He desires us to serve His purposes with the life He has given, He is not in need of what we have.
Paul went on to state. . .
“(26) And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, (27) that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, (28) for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’” (Act 17:26-28 ESV)
Here is what God wants. It is not that He needs us, but because we need Him we are to be duly compelled to seek Him by the reality He wants us to be in relationship with Him! God wants us to acknowledge Him as our Creator and so be drawn to live in a manner reflecting the genuineness of that relationship as He works in and through us for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13) As we live our daily life, let us remain humble to ward off beginning to feel God owes us and could not do without our abilities or possessions. It is to God we owe everything, including our very life. Therefore, understanding what He wants, let us remain drawn to Him as we glorify Him through the ways in which He chooses to use us by how He equips us!
Have a great day KNOWING THE WANT OF GOD WE NEED!
Carl
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