Day 20: Our Reason

of The Heart of God: Through David’s Eyes

Below is Day Twenty of the study, but there is an introduction to check out which gives context and sets the tone, and previous weeks to look at below. If you would like the full content all in one place, this book is now available for purchase on Amazon. 

Week 1 - He Longs for Us to Know Who We Are 

Week 2 - He Longs for Us to Respond

Week 3 - He Longs for Us to Know Him

Day 15: Psalm 51

Day 16: Our Judge

Day 17: Our Benefactor

Day 18: Our Redeemer

Day 19: Our Source

Day 20: Our Reason

While the actual motivation varies for each individual person, we are each motivated by something. Some people are hungry for success, fame, and fortune; others are driven by time with their family, early retirement, food, and several other tempting motivators. 

David was motivated by seeing God at work. He was asking God, in the words we looked at yesterday, to be near to him, restore his joy, and now he was telling God how he would respond to God’s generosity. First, he wanted to tell others, who also sin, about what God had done in his life.  He wanted God to redeem him so that he could sing of His righteousness and praise. David was not concerned about his own legacy, but, rather, for God to be recognized as the one who gave him a reason to live the way he does. 

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.                                                                   Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
    you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.                                              Open my lips, Lord,
    and my mouth will declare your praise. (Psalm 51:13-15)

Then, David mentioned God’s willingness to give those He loves what He desires to give them. He knew God’s heart well enough to feel comfortable to ask. God was not requiring an offering, but David understood it was the broken-hearted state he was in as he wrote these words. God needed his sorrow, not his perfection. He wanted David to be motivated by his intimate relationship with Him. Due to his intense relationship with God, David knew that remorse over his brokenness was exactly the kind of heart God was looking for.   

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise. (Psalm 51:16-17)

Their relationship was centered on God’s love which cannot be bought, stolen, or earned. David’s posture of accepting he was God’s valuable, loved creation, has inspired these words. He was already motivated by being united, close, and connected to God, so what they wanted was mutually-desired. God was his reason for moving, breathing, and functioning–even in this dark place of awareness of his sin and sadness. 

1. What different things are you motivated by? Money? Recognition? Food? Acceptance? 

2. How does David’s tone and choice of words show what he is motivated by?  

3. David talked about how he would share with others about God’s intervention and deliverance. Is this something you desire to do? What steps do you take (or could you start to take) to display that God is the “why” behind each of your choices. Consider your material possessions, job, relationships, how you spend your spare time, etc. 

4. When have you felt broken-hearted? How can you relate to David’s feelings about being heart-broken? 

5. What is your true reason for waking up and functioning everyday? How does this compare with or relate to what you are motivated by?

Reflection

Write a prayer asking God to help you put Him at the center of your life as your core reason for doing what you do, as you contribute to the world, and that He would receive the glory of any legacy of your life. 

An excerpt of The Heart of God: Through David’s Eyes by Jill Ng