All of us want God to help us when we are in trouble, but often for different reasons.
Some want God’s help so that they will be successful and other people will like them. Others want God’s help so that they will be comfortable and feel good about themselves.
When we ask God for help, what are our motives?
Consider this. David ask God for help because he wanted that justice would be restored to Israel and so that he could show others God’s power. Psa 9:13-14 Be merciful to me, O LORD! See the sufferings my enemies cause me! Rescue me from death, O LORD, that I may stand before the people of Jerusalem and tell them all the things for which I praise you. I will rejoice because you saved me.
Remember this. God judges our motives. Whatever it is, we cannot hide from the all seeing God. Pro 16:2 You may think everything you do is right, but the LORD judges your motives. And the Lord knows those who are serving Him truthfully or wickedly. Pro 21:27 The LORD hates it when wicked people offer him sacrifices, especially if they do it from evil motives.
And in everything we do, be it known or we did it secretly, God knows our motives. Pro 24:12 You may say that it is none of your business, but God knows and judges your motives. He keeps watch on you; he knows. And he will reward you according to what you do.
Apostle Paul says, 1Th 2:4 Instead, we always speak as God wants us to, because he has judged us worthy to be entrusted with the Good News. We do not try to please people, but to please God, who tests our motives. This is really what God wants us to do, that is, not to try to please people but to please God. He knows our motives. Don’t try to impress Him.
Instead, we do what He wants us to do.
Others do not understand that in asking God through prayers, it is important that we have the correct motives. Jas 4:3 And when you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad; you ask for things to use for your own pleasures. People don’t get what they want from God because God knows that their motives are totally wrong. Some ask for wealth but they don’t have a heart for giving. Some ask for power but they don’t have the heart to help people.
People ask God because they want their lives to be pleasurable. How can we be pleasurable in life without doing the will of God? This is the reason why some of our prayers are not heard by God. He hears our prayers, but doesn’t give what we need because of our motives. He knows what’s best for us and if our motives our wrong, He doesn’t give them, maybe because it may endanger us or lead us to sinning.
The next time we ask God for help, consider our motives. Is it to save ourselves pain and embarrassment or to bring God glory and honor?
