November 26 All the Wrong Reasons
November 26
All the Wrong Reasons
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
—Proverbs 18:10
My sister Jay, as a teenager, was famous around our home for whining, “Daddy, I’ve got a problem.” We knew what that meant. He would laugh, reach for his wallet and say, “Okay, Jay, how much?” It irritated me that she seemed to take advantage of Dad’s kindness, but Daddy didn’t seem to mind.
That’s often the way we are with God. We run to Him for all the wrong reasons. We go to God because someone has snubbed us and our feelings are bruised. We go to God when we’ve failed and our pride is wounded. We run to God for sympathy, hoping that He’ll understand our point of view. I know I sometimes run to God because I’ve procrastinated, forgot to prepare a message, and I don’t want to appear stupid before a whole bunch of people.
None of these are good reasons for running to the Lord, but thankfully, God doesn’t hold against us our wrong motives. The Lord doesn’t even want us to waste effort trying to clean up our act before we come to Him—that’s His responsibility.
Whether it’s silly pride or self-centered disappointment, run to the Lord. Come to the cross for all the wrong reasons. It is there God will redeem every impure motive.
Lord, when I have a problem, I know You are the place to go. You are the person to reach for. Thank You for not demanding that I clean up my act before I come to the cross—I trust that You will do that for me when I kneel at Calvary, confess my sins, and bow before Your will. Bless You that Your name is a strong, high tower. Your name gives me safety. I thank You for that.