My recent study of the word “desire” has yielded that desire creates difficulty and that we have to rule over desire. This morning I am continuing the study and found that we should be desiring the LORD. If desire is difficult and I have to rule over it, then my immediate question is as to why would I accept desire for the LORD.
Well, here we go. Desire is hard and I have to rule over it, but I also have to remember the saying, “anything worth having is worth fighting for”. The LORD is certainly worth having and therefor He is worth fighting for. In fact, the LORD is the only desirable that gives back unconditionally. What He offers us is Love and salvation in return for our love and devotion to Him. He will provide all that we need in all situations and once we have completed the tasks He has for us, we will be granted rest.
“14They swore an oath to the Lord with a loud voice and with shouting and with trumpets and with horns. 15And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.” – 2 Chronicles 15:14-15 (ESV)
What is an oath? Merriam-Webster Online defines an oath as: a (1): a solemn usually formal calling upon God or a god to witness to the truth of what one says or to witness that one sincerely intends to do what one says (2): a solemn attestation of the truth or inviolability of one’s words b: something (such as a promise) corroborated by an oath
An oath being a sincere commitment to action is just what the people of Judah were doing. They were fully committed and desired the LORD. They gave themselves fully to Him and the action of finding Him. And because of this oath and desire, they found Him and were rewarded with rest once they did.
When we desire things of this world, we may find them, yet they are limited in what they give us in return. What is the fight for if there is nothing to be had in return. Well with the LORD, we receive a return for the work done. The fight yields a result that is fully worth having, rest and glory in heaven.
I choose to desire the LORD. I will fight for Him. I will work for Him. I will love Him. I am fully committed to Him. I will spread His word, regardless of the consequences in this world. My reward is not of this world and is fully worth it all.
What do you desire? Are you fully committed to the thing that you desire even knowing that the reward is minimal and not much if anything will be received in return? What if you desired the LORD and committed yourself to Him for the reward of rest and glory that comes when you are united with Him?