A Prayer for Loving God Just Because He’s God
“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
(Job 1:9–11 NIV)
Gracious Father, I sometimes wonder if Satan watches American religious television, because there’s a lot there to fuel his accusations. Much of it could substantiate his charge that the only reason we love you is because of the goodies you give us.
It’s hard not to be cynical, but I’ve got to be careful, because as far as creature comforts go, I don’t have anything “whine worthy” going on. There’s nothing right now presenting a challenge to my faith. I’ve got good health; there’s more check left over at the end of the month; none of my family members are in crisis. Nothing beyond the normal fallenness and brokenness of life is happening around me or within me.
Father, I presume on none of this kind providence. I take none of your good gifts for granted. It’s only by your grace that I don’t struggle with entitlement as much as I used to. The gospel has convinced me that everything I have comes from you (1 Cor. 4:7).
So as I think today about Job’s story, it’s not with gritted teeth or clenched fists. But Satan’s question always remains current: Why do we love you? What’s our motivation for worshiping you? How will I think about you the next time I suffer loss, betrayal, and pain? That, no doubt, will happen.
I want to be a man who loves and worships you simply because you are God. There’s no other god besides you, and there’s certainly no other god like you. I’m grateful for your gifts, but I want to love and worship you, the Giver, as the primary treasure of my heart. I pray in Jesus’ holy and loving name.
Amen.