A Heart Ready to Receive

 

Who wouldn't want to receive something everyday from God?  

 It's crazy to think that we would shy away from not wanting to receive from the One who fed a nation of 3million people for 40 years with bread from heaven?   Or who would say "No" to the One that turned ordinary water into extraordinary wine so wedding guests could continue to enjoy the celebration?

You mean God actually likes blessing humans and delights in seeing His people have fun and getting their needs met?

Absolutely and we are not talking about Santa Claus here!

We are talking about the God who made you and I, who is intimately acquainted with our ways and who desires to help us in every way!  Despite knowing our weaknesses, tendencies toward frailty and utter stupidity at times...yes, He is crazy about us and wants us to receive from His treasure house of abundance each and every day.  

 "Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion."  Isaiah 30:18 

So why are so many of us living below our privileges and not receiving the riches of God (grace, direction, provision, wisdom, etc....the list goes on) on a daily basis?

Here are 3 primary attitudes of the heart I believe it takes to receive from God:

1.  A Holy Heart.  This is a heart that is tender to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and turns away from wrong thinking or doing.  "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart.  Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.  He shall receive blessing from the Lord."  (Psalm 24:4,5) 

2.  A Humble Heart.  A person with this heart knows that apart from God, he is nothing.  This heart freely admits and actually rejoices in feeling weak and needy, leaning into the strength and abundance of God.  "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble...humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."  (James 4:6,10)  Humble here literally means "low to the ground":  signifying a low estate, lowly in position and power.

3.  A Hungry Heart.  This heart is passionate about living for God and careful to fill it with things that will cause it to grow spiritually and in the end, bear more fruit for God. It is hungry for nourishment from Bible reading, fellowship with other Christians, prayer, fasting and other disciplines.  The person with a hungry heart is vigilant about not allowing worries, riches or the pleasures of life to choke out the truth that has been sown in it.  (Luke 8:14) 

O Lord, let us not grow weary in maintaining a right heart before you!  And we look forward to receiving all you have prepared for us.  "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."  (2 Chronicles 16:9)

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