Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe having breakfast together to talk about what it means to be a Christian who actually lives the new Christian life. Between bites of the delicious blueberry pancakes Stan was enjoying, he commented about the importance of doing what Jesus says when He says to go. “You mean,” I asked, “go and preach the gospel and make disciples?”
“That’s certainly an important ‘go,” Stan responded, “but I was thinking about a different ‘go’ Jesus talked about.”
“Which one?”
“Where Jesus said to ‘Go and learn.”
“Learn what?”
“In this particular instance,” Stan replied, “Jesus was telling some people to go and learn what it means that God delights in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and that He delights in the knowledge of Himself rather than in burnt offerings.”
“Okay, “I said, “if that’s what we’re supposed to learn, where are we supposed to go to learn that?”
“It seems to me,” Stan replied with a smile, “that the best place to find out what delights God is to go and spend time asking Him what delights Him, and then listen when He tells me what He knows I need to do to actually delight Him.”
“But remember,” he added, “it all begins with going. I can’t go and learn if I stay where I am!”
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Bible verses to consider:
For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6.
But go and learn what this means, “I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,” for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners. Matthew 9:13.
But if you had known what this means, “I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,” you would not have condemned the innocent. Matthew 12:7.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to a delightful new life in and with you, a life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t go and learn what delights you. Please forgive the foolishness of seeking to live the new life you’ve provided without knowing what delights you in actually living it. Help me follow ever step of your lead in going and learning what delights you. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted what God delighted in providing: life eternally with Him through Jesus, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with going and learning what delights God, as well as living what you have learned? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need in order to go and learn what delights Him, as well as how to actually delight Him? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?