Hosanna Restoration Church

Many years ago a song came spontaneously in worship that said, “I need you, I love you, I want you more Lord.” The bridge said, “The more I need you, the more I love you, the more I love you, the more I want you.” Later I tried to analyze the order, only to find that the Holy Spirit had it right! Imagine that.

We have to realize our need before we ever come to love or want the way that God intended. Think about it. Many people want God to do things even when they personally have no real need or love for Him.

We can also be guilty of skipping the things we need or taking them for granted and wanting things while we have no idea what love is! Consider a little child. A baby is concerned only about what they need. Life is simple. They need air to breathe, food to eat, liquid to drink, and love. If they have these things they are content and happy and so is everyone around them. It does not take long before they begin to want and explore other things however.

No wonder God encouraged us to have faith as a little child. Our need for God must be nurtured and maintained. If we lose our understanding of our need for Him we will obviously lose our want for Him. We can say we love him while our lives reveal no real need or want for Him. We can skip praying. We can skip seeking. We can neglect time with Him and still say we love Him, but He knows better and so should we!

When we need, love, and want God, then we will respond to the difficult things in the way that He requires. When these things are in proper place with God, it is possible for us to love those who hate us and bless those who curse us. At the end of chapter 5, Jesus reminds us that God sends rain on the good and the evil. He has the capacity to have compassion when we would lower the boom.

I was praying and asking God to forgive those who had no idea what they were doing. I was actually doing pretty well rehearsing the way Jesus prayed that God would forgive those who crucified Him because they did not know what they were doing. I moved on to the terrorists and suddenly God said, “Then you need to forgive them too!” Funny, I never really thought about that. I did not realize that I had unforgiveness where they were concerned. I have certainly judged them as worthy of being exterminated. Of course I prayed they would meet Jesus before they were crushed! Well anyway, again, God was right.

Then this thought came to mind. Who is worse; the terrorist who kills the child, or the professor who robs the young mind of his faith in God? Jesus was pretty clear about the folks who not only refused to believe but they also kept others from believing. So now there is another group who I need to forgive. Praying for them is one thing, forgiving them is another! Especially when I never really realized that I had unforgiveness where they were concerned.

So with that in mind, God brought this chorus back to me. Because I need, love, and want Him, I will do what He wants. I will face His music so to speak. He is patient and forgiving and really desires that no one perishes. He knows what is best. He knows that I cannot live unless I can continue on with Him. Perhaps this speaks to you as well.