Not Impressed – Week Two

You can stop trying to impress God.

There is nothing you can say or do that will make you greater in His eyes. There is nothing you can say or do that will surprise Him. God is in heaven. He formed the earth. He created you. God knows all things, and He holds all things together.

Despite this knowledge, many of us attempt to preform our way into God’s favor. We think if we are good enough or appear good enough, God will love us more. When measured against others, we convince ourselves that we have something to brag about.

Or we believe that our lack of goodness prevents us from coming before God. When considering how short we fall, we give up. We think that God cannot use us, heal us, or restore us.

Whether you think you have it all together or feel you fall short (or a bit of both), the truth is God is not impressed by how good or bad you are.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon warns us to come before God, ready to listen, aware of just Who we are talking to. The words we speak in God’s presence matter, and we should guard what we say. In Solomon’s day, as people worshiped in the temple, they would make vows to God but fail to deliver on those vows.

Listen to the strong words addressed to these worshipers, “When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow!” (Ecclesiastes 5:4 NASB) They insulted and outraged God. Whether swept up in the moment or attempting to gain holiness, we don’t know, but their empty promises were seen for what they were – false attempts and foolish words.

Lip service is insulting to God. He knows your thoughts and intentions. He sees your heart. God invites us into His presence, not for a display of our greatness, but for a recognition of how great He is.

Often we attempt to make up for our mistakes and shortcomings by promising God we will do better, change our behavior, or achieve a certain status. But we have to examine where these ideas are coming from. Is God changing us and challenging us, or are we rushing into His presence full of words, trying to impress Him, and redeem ourselves?

When you come to God, you don’t have to prove yourself. God is well aware of your shortcomings. But the good news is He doesn’t expect you to have the answers or fix yourself.

Compared to God, even our best actions are worthless and fleeting.

All of our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. Isaiah 64:6

But God demands perfection.

Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48

On our own, we all fall short of God’s measure.

There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks God. Romans 3:10

But God understands our shortcomings.

Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. Psalm 103:13-14

In His love, God offers grace.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions made us alive together with Christ (by grace we have been saved). Ephesians 2:4-5

He invites us into His presence to find mercy and help.

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

When we focus on Him, God transforms our minds.

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2

Through His transforming power, we can please Him.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

And God has a path for each of us, full of fruitfulness and good works.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Today, as you approach God in worship, you have a choice. You can be the foolish worshiper Solomon warns us about – the one who rushes into God’s presence, forgets to listen, and hastily makes promises they won’t keep. Or you can come to God laying down your abilities, recognizing your weakness, and hungry for His transforming power.