What Does God Want From Me? Steadfast Love and Not Sacrifice

Coffee With God: 5/12/2023 | Hosea 6:6

What Does God Want From Me? Steadfast Love and Not Sacrifice

"For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

*The word used in v.6 of Hosea 6 is the Hebrew word "hesed" [חֶ֫סֶד], and it means covenant love, steadfast love, or faithfulness.*

What does God want from me? Have you ever asked yourself this question?

Many people have. As if God created us because somewhere within the depths of his infinite being, he needed something from us.

But this is not an irregular or misguided question. In fact, the motive behind this question usually comes from a good place, even if there exist misconceptions about what the answer to this question is.

During the life of the prophet Hosea, the people of Israel and Judah had wandered far from God in their hearts. Even though many of their religious traditions and practices were still being observed, they had failed to hold fast to the one who saved them from Egypt.

Their traditions and observances, rule-keeping and rituals had become unhinged from their ultimate purpose. The people had replaced love for the lawgiver (and the obedience that follows) with a zeal for law-keeping.

They had allowed rules and customs to become the cornerstone of their identity instead of knowing and loving the God who first called them to become a people set apart.

But why did God choose them to begin with? Why were they the ones Yahweh chose to be “a people for his treasured possession”? (Deuteronomy 7:7) Was it because he wanted something from them? Was it because they were special?

“For you are a people singled-out for the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers.” Deuteronomy 7:6-8.

What made the Israelites special was that God chose them. He didn't choose them because they were exceptional – the best law keepers and rule followers – but because he wanted to offer his steadfast, faithful, covenant love to a people who would belong to him. To a nation who through his persistent, devoted love, would come to know and love him in return.

God wanted a people who would receive his steadfast love, his hesed, and offer it back to him. Would obedience and holiness surely follow? Of course they would. Human sanctification is always the outgrowth of God’s love. It's just not the reason for it.

So, the next time you ask yourself the question: “What does God want from me” remember this: while the Lord may very well have a task for you to accomplish or a mission for you to undertake, what he wants is your hesed, your steadfast love that is a response to his faithful, covenant love.

May we never put the cart before the horse. And may we always remember that obedience to God flows from a place of knowing and receiving his hesed.

If you keep this truth, this essential part of the story, ever before your eyes, you are sure to run well.

What Does God Want From Me? Steadfast Love and Not Sacrifice