God's Good Purposes

They "rejected God's purpose for themselves" (Luke 7:30) This was the Pharisees and the so called experts in the law. They refused to be baptized by John. They saw no need to repent, no need to turn their lives around. They had it all together. Everyone knew that. Life was good. Why would they need to change? 

Jesus saw it differently, as He did so often. He saw their false security, their smugness. He knew how lost they were in their pride and complacency. The sad thing is they missed it. They missed it big time. They missed all God had for them, His good purposes for their lives. 

Sobering. Scary how easy it is to dig in our heals and cling to our little kingdoms, our comfortable little worlds. I don't want to miss God's good purpose for my life.  I want His Kingdom come, His will be done and that starts in my heart. It begins with understanding that His purposes are good, that He loves us and has our very best interest in mind. Repentance is merely turning to Him. He takes care of the rest.

My prayer from the Psalms this morning, speaks to what turning our hearts to Him looks like. Amazing how thousands of years ago, David wrote this psalm that is so relevant for me, today. No matter what my life looks like, this is the answer.

Unto You, O LORD, do I bring my life.

O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. 

Let me not be put to shame 

or [my hope in You] be disappointed; 

let not my enemies triumph over me.

Yes, let none who trust 

and wait hopefully 

and look for You 

be put to shame or be disappointed; 

let them be ashamed who forsake the right 

or deal treacherously without cause.

Show me Your ways, O LORD; 

teach me Your paths. 

Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness 

and teach me, 

for You are the God of my salvation; 

for You [You only and altogether] 

do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.

Psalm 25:1-5 AMP