A Natural Response

There are two types of natural responses we generally give children when they ask us for something.  We say “Yes” or we say “No”.  Our response is usually generated by several factors.  Sometimes we just respond out of love for them and say “Yes”.  Other times our response is generated out of the way they have been behaving.  When they are bad, we hold back our generosities and kindnesses towards them.  We wait for them to shape up before we will give them what they have asked for.  If anything, if we can just get a heartfelt apology for their behavior, we will answer them favorably.  Like when those teenagers snap at us and don’t do their chores.  We wait to either see them do the chore or apologize for being rude to us.  Repentance can go a long way in making life easier for all parties involved.

Moses shows us in his worship experience in Exodus 34: 8-11 God’s natural response to him that we can find quite encouraging.

⁸ Moses immediately bowed down to the ground and worshiped. ⁹ Then he said, “My Lord, if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, my Lord, please go with us. Even though this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wrongdoing and sin, and accept us as Your own possession.” ¹⁰ And the Lord responded: “Look, I am making a covenant. I will perform wonders in the presence of all your people that have never been done in all the earth or in any nation. All the people you live among will see the Lord’s work, for what I am doing with you is awe-inspiring. ¹¹ Observe what I command you today. I am going to drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

Moses saw his and the nation of Israel’s sinfulness.  He sought God’s forgiveness and showed that He wanted God in their lives leading them.  He had a repentant heart and a seeking heart.  God naturally responded to Moses’ heartfelt pleas.  He told him that He would work wonders, show them new things, and drive out their enemies.

What more could we want?  Don’t you want that natural “Yes” response from God?  It starts in our heart.  We must repent, if necessary, and we must be seeking Him to be a part of our everyday life.  God will encourage us for our obedience by showing us His wonders, new things we haven’t seen and driving out our enemies.

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