FreedomExemplo

Stop Striving for What You Already Have

It is incredibly exhausting trying to earn God’s love. When I first trusted in the gospel my freshman year of college, I slowly began enslaving myself to what a good Christian is “supposed to do.” I had already spent so many years not reading Scripture, praying, and sharing the gospel that I began heaping shame and guilt on myself when I didn’t. I believed the Father was more pleased with me on the days I woke up early, spent an hour in the word and prayer, talked about what I read with a friend, and struck up a gospel conversation with a stranger.

I was able to do these things consistently for a while, but like a car that is running on the wrong type of gas, I burnt out quickly. Finding security in my works was exhausting. Our Scripture today comes from the last chapter of Isaiah. Isaiah was a prophet of God, called to preach a message of repentance to the nation of Israel, who had been living in rebellion of His design. The people of Israel had been offering sacrifices to God, but the intention of their hearts was their own gain, not a true posture of worship.

Like Israel, I too was making my relationship with God a religious ritual. I had been pursuing God, not from a desire to know Him more, but to earn His affection. However, the sweetest freedom is found in today’s verse! God graciously reminded Israel that He does not care for heartless religion. A “humble and contrite spirit” is one who is aware of their utter dependence on God’s grace. God loves the fact that we need Him. We can spend so much time and energy trying to earn the very thing we already have–His grace! As you pursue the Lord, remember His heart. He already loves you deeply.

Father, thank You for the freedom I have in Christ–I don’t work for Your love but from it. I repent of all the times I have trusted in my good works instead of Your perfect love. Teach my heart to rest in this truth and to find joy and intimacy in my time with You.

For Further Reading: Psalm 34:18; Matthew 5:3; Ephesians 2:8-9