Discerning God’s Will

Discerning God’s Will

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Matthew 5:8, NIV

If you’re anything like me (I don’t mean to assume you are, but I have to think we may have some similarities), then it’s likely that at times you face a challenging life decision and are really trying to discern what it is that God is calling you to do.

Sometimes there isn’t even a bad option as much as just trying to figure out which might be the best. Here’s what happens in my life: I get it right about 50% of the time. The other 50% is when I jump in with both feet to something that seemed like what I should do . . . only to realize mid-jump that maybe I leapt before I really looked. Please tell me I’m not the only one that’s ever done that!

But here’s what I love about God and what Matthew 5:8 promises us: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” It doesn’t say, “Blessed are those who never mess things up” or “Blessed are those who do all the right things,” because God is always more focused on our hearts than on our actions. Let’s face it: We’re flawed people just trying to do our best, and sometimes that’s enough and sometimes we still fall short.

When the prophet Samuel went to look for the next king of Israel and saw David, God reminded Samuel that He wasn’t concerned with outward appearance but looks at what’s in a person’s heart. If we allow ourselves to fall in love with Jesus completely and totally, we’ll find more and more that our heart is in the right place, and that’s when we experience the pure joy of what it means to walk in the way He has for us. Our desires for ourselves will line up more and more with His desires.

And that doesn’t mean we become perfect. God isn’t concerned about us being perfect because He knows exactly who we are, with all our flaws and weaknesses. He’s our Creator and knows us better than we know ourselves. He wants our hearts to be pure because that’s when we can really experience what it means to walk in the freedom of all that he intends for us to become. Yes, He wants us to live lives that are holy and pure, but He also is there to catch us when we inevitably fall short when we take those leaps with both feet.

Thank you for reading Pastor Dale’s Mid-Week Encouragement.  It’s not copyrighted so feel free to share it with someone who needs encouragement today. And, if you’re a regular attender of the Mt. Laurel Church of God, please consider reading Matthew 4:1-11 to get yourself ready to hear God’s message this coming Sunday, February 22, as we worship the King of kings and Lord of lords!

Called to know the Way, go the Way, and show you the Way,

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.