The words of this verse have been running through my head the last day or two.
Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” Isaiah 26:8 (NIV)
I’ve been thinking a lot about those two things. Walking in His ways, and His Name and renown.
In our culture, it can be hard to walk in His ways. So many things conspire against us. Some days you can almost feel the tidal wave sucking you under with the lies of our world. So many things that are against God are actually celebrated in our culture. It can come at you from every direction, and you must fight against it to believe otherwise.
We really can’t walk in the ways of the Lord if we don’t know truth and what those ways are. And we can’t know truth and His ways if we don’t know His Word. So stay in the Word.
Then what is the desire of our hearts? That’s a big question, isn’t it? Even if we think we know, we might not. Is the Lord’s name and renown (fame, widespread repute) our heart’s desire?
I think one of the most natural tendencies we have as humans is to be concerned with ourselves, to be self-absorbed, to think about our wants and needs and desires, to crave to be known, to matter, to have attention on us. I see it in myself often – pride and selfishness.
Yet the Lord can radically redirect that when we submit to Him. Rather than my own desires being first in my mind, He can become first in my mind. And as I seek Him and His ways, He redirects my passions and desires to those that truly satisfy and bring joy. Those are all found in Him! And somewhere along that path, walking in His ways, looking at Him, we see He is everything, and His Name and renown become the desire of our hearts. He will be at the center of our lives, on the throne.
You will often get mixed messages about these things, but look to God and His ways, and watch as He becomes your heart’s greatest desire – to make Him known – all for His great glory and your incredible satisfaction and joy.
PRAYER: Lord, may we walk in your ways by knowing them through your Word and following You in the power of Your Spirit. May we resist what isn’t true and give up selfish desires to see You, Your Name and renown, indeed become the desire of our hearts. We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Praise Proclaimer 