1 Samuel 2:3 (KJV)
Talk no more so exceeding proudly; Let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And by him actions are weighed.
The glorious witness of God is unequivocally established through Hannah’s triumphant song of rejoicing, following her deliverance from barrenness. It testifies to His greatness and power, the majesty of His name, the wonder of His love, and His faithfulness towards humanity. In her song of praise, Hannah affirms the holiness of God, delights His character, rejoices in the uniqueness of God, and attests to His gracious wisdom. Hannah demonstrates a profound understanding of the Lord’s unfathomable omniscience, for He knows the mind’s thoughts and scrutinizes the human heart’s hidden secrets. The Lord sets aside those who are proud and destroys the world’s wisdom, but in His grace, He lifts the humble and gives mercy to the meek and lowly. God weighs every word that comes out of our mouths and examines the motives made in our hearts, for nothing is hidden from Him. The condition of our hearts is vastly dominant to God. It is essential to know that with God, actions are weighed. God is more concerned about the motive behind our actions than the actions themselves. King David admonished his son Solomon to know and serve God with a perfect heart and willing mind. For the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts(1 Chronicles 28:9).
There is always a reason that motivates us to take action. Our motives give purpose and direction to our actions and inactions. They are said to be pure or sincere if they align with our declared purpose. That is, reasons stated for our behavior. In other words, motive is the driving force of a man’s actions. The truth is no human being on earth acts without a definite motive. When we set out to do things, no matter how noble or spiritual, the motive behind them must be genuine. Proverbs 23:6-8 says, “Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.” Many have wicked ambitions other than our pleasure and prosperity motivating their offer. However, wise men recognize a man’s motives and determine whether a meal is justified. Since everything we do is a seed and will reap the harvest, we must always be mindful of our actions. On the day that the Lord will come, He will bring out in the open and place in evidence all kinds of things we never even dreamed of: inner motives, purposes, and prayers. Only then will we hear “Well done!”(1 Corinthians 4:5). Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.”
Beloved, desire to please God and not live to please yourself nor man. Because when you desire to please God, His hands lead your motives. Let the intention behind every action always be uncontaminated, uncorrupted, and right because the reason behind what you do can affect your relationship with God and determine where you will end in life and eternity. Do not be driven by consensus but by conviction. Resist the temptations of this world and see what God will do with your life. Ensure you have a correct, genuine, and sincere motive behind every action, for God sees beyond your actions; He sees your heart. With the right motivation, you are humble before God. If you live according to what is right in your own eyes, repent, turn from your ways, and seek God with all your heart. Today, make knowing God through His Son, Jesus Christ, your priority. Yield yourself to Him and let Him shape your character. Serve Him with all your might and let your heart be perfect towards Him, for the Lord examines the motives of your heart. It should be the hope and security that fuels your faith.
O Lord, I ask for forgiveness for every wrong motive. I receive the grace to cultivate and maintain the right motive in everything I do in Jesus’ Name.