The Right Motive

Read Psalm 61

Featured Verse: Psalm 61:7-8

“May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him. Then will I ever sing praise to your name and fulfill my vows day after day.”

King David is unashamedly praying for God’s blessing on his life and on his reign as king over Israel. He asked for it all: Divine favor, protection, success, and even long life. He clearly understands that he can do nothing without God; he can’t be an effective king, he can’t even live a decent life if God doesn’t grace him with what only God can give. So he aggressively, boldly, pointedly asks.

But David had a great motive for asking. It wasn’t just so he could reign as king over Israel more successfully, or just so he could have a problem free ministry, or just so he could live well into old age. All that was fine—and there is certainly nothing wrong in asking for any of that. What David mostly wanted was to squeeze the very last ounce of glory for God out of his one and only life. In everything he did, and in every prayer request he lifted to God, his motive was that God’s name could be lifted high throughout the earth and throughout every generation.

That’s a great motive for asking. It is also a sure way to receive from the Lord. In Psalm 37:4, David wrote, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” What do you desire in your heart? What do you seek in prayer? Make sure the Lord factors first and foremost in all you are hoping for—not because he needs that from you, but because he deserves that from you—and he will pour out his unlimited supply of heavenly grace upon your life.

God looks for people who are wholly bent on glorifying his name. And when he finds that person, the treasury of heaven will open to them in uncommon ways. The chronicler said in  II Chronicles 16:9,

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

When the Lord scours the earth today in search of that fully devoted, totally consecrated God-follower, may he find that person in you. And may you be blessed beyond your wildest imaginations!

What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
—Westminster Confession

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