God is behind every glorious work, and he will not share his glory. He will not allow any obstacle to get in the way of the shining brilliance of his Son. Therefore, he needs clean vessels to do his work. At the peak moment when his blessings and power are flowing freely through his people, he tells them, \u201cPause now, and put it all on hold. I want you to examine your heart.\u201d<\/p>\n
That is the word I sensed God wanted me to preach when our church celebrated its third anniversary. You can imagine my hesitation. I pictured the whole congregation staring at me, puzzled, thinking, \u201cWait! You\u2019re telling us we\u2019re all great, but then you turn around and say we need to change.\u201d It felt like it would be like the husband who takes his wife to dinner for their anniversary and says, \u201cHoney, I was hoping to talk about the extra weight you\u2019ve put on.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s not what it\u2019s like when God asks us to examine ourselves, though. After all, we\u2019re aware that our righteousness is as filthy rags, that we need his grace. The fact is that just when we\u2019re poised on the brink of God\u2019s greatest work in our lives, he asks us to reflect on these questions: \u201cIs there anything in my heart that\u2019s displeasing to the Lord? Have I neglected to do something he has asked of me? I want nothing in my life to hinder what God wants to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
God is forever bringing his people to this point. Why? Because before he can bring about his best, he has to do something deep in us. He wants to give us his victory, but he also wants our complete devotion to him.<\/p>\n
What is the Lord putting his finger on in your life? Is it to take away one small thing or to add something you\u2019ve neglected? Don\u2019t delay in your response to the Spirit\u2019s faithful voice. Dealing with one small thing can determine your whole future. Will you examine it? If so, you can know God\u2019s best is ahead; and you can rest assured that you have pleased the one who wants to bless you.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!\u201d (Lamentations 3:40, ESV)<\/em>.<\/p>\n