And to You the vow will be performed.
(Psalm 65:1)
More often than I should probably admit, I'll hit a wall in my life and cry out to God, "What is it You want from me?"
Strangely, this has been happening more frequently recently, as I've sought to obey Him more faithfully. He's very familiar with the sound of this cry; I can't quite decide whether it makes Him want to scream or hold me close. Probably both.
This morning an answer smacked me between the eyes, right in the first verse of Psalm 65.
What is it He wants from us? Three things:
silence
praise
obedience
Silence.
When the panicking Israelites are escaping the Egyptians at the Red Sea (Exodus 14), Moses says the most brilliant thing to them: Shut up. Just stand still, and watch. God is about to act on your behalf.
I always get a kick out of what God replies: Why I am I hearing your voice, Moses?
What a weird reaction! I, for one, am extremely comforted by what Moses said. Did God get up on the wrong side of bed? No, I think what He means is this: SILENCE. Yes, even you, Moses. I don't need introductions. If you people had even an inkling of who you were dealing with, you would be in utter silence and awe before Me.
Practical application: Stop quibbling with Him. Stop doing all the talking -- listen to Him. Don't charge in, assuming our way is His way. Remember who He is, and begin acting as though that means something.
Praise.
Even in silence, praise. Praise always, constantly. Our first words in the morning, our last words at night, the way lovers greet one another. The Lord's Prayer begins with praise and submission, because this is always primary in our relationship with God. Praise in the midst of unthinkable pain (this is how the Lord reached down to me and drew me back to Himself), praise when everything is going well and we might tend to forget Him.
Obedience.
We can't get to this one without the first two. If we don't come before God in awe, listening to Him in the silence, praising and uplifting Him, offering ourselves to Him in one-on-one worship, we won't find the secret path He wants to lead each of us on. We can read His word and obey in a sort of corporate way, but we won't be learning from Him first-hand. We won't know what it is He has for just us to do.
What is it You want from me, God?
Here's His answer: I want your full attention. I want your whole heart. I'm not waiting for you to become perfect: I'm waiting for you.