Then He Will Answer

"Then you will call and the Lord will answer, you will cry and he will say, I am here." - Isaiah 58:9

The "then" in this verse implies that there is something we have to do first for the Lord to answer our cry for help. In this passage, the Lord was talking about the condition of our hearts in calling out to Him. There are times, and I've done this many times, when I ask Him for forgiveness for a sin, or I fast or say a prayer, but my heart isn't there. I act out of habit or obligation; the real meaning behind the act is missing and therefore, what I do is useless. And this is really very arrogant of me because the only thing God looks at is the heart, not what's going on outside. I could pray to God in this state but He won't answer my call. But, if I purify my heart and seek to please God with my thoughts and actions, then He will listen. Then He will tell me He is there when I call. See, even if maybe I'm feeling dry and I don't have it in me to put in the effort, by just desiring to want to please Him, God understands and has mercy. With God, it's all about what's going on in your heart.

Today's Prayer:
Lord, sometimes my heart just isn't where it should be. I know You search for a pure, sincere heart, but please have mercy on me and let all of my words, thoughts and actions be in accordance with Your holy will. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.