What Moves God To Act?

In my reading through the Bible, I came today to Isaiah 64:4,5.  As if I'd never seen it before, these two verses jumped off the page.  Anyone who has ... or ever has had ... a deep heart-cry going out to God is interested in this topic.  If you have a deep need in your heart and life - one that you know deep inside can never be met by anything or anyone other than God Almighty Himself - then this topic grabs at your heartstrings.  I certainly fit into that group of folks, and as such, this topic does, indeed, grab at my heartstrings.  I want to share what I've found, but do want to make it clear, from the very beginning, that God is not some divine slot machine.  I cannot "put in" certain things and then demand that God "do" certain things.  He is omniscient ("...the property of having complete or maximal knowledge. Along with omnipotence and perfect goodness, it is one of the central divine attributes.").  He is sovereign (above or superior to all others; chief; greatest; supreme; supreme in power, rank, or authority).  He answers to no one. That being understood, it behooves me - being both appropriate and needful - to know what the Word of God Himself says about what it is that moves Him to act.

These two verses give a glimpse into the answer (emphasis mine):


Verses 4-5:
"...Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him ... meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, who remembers You in Your ways..."


Using the Word as Its own commentary, these cross-references add insight:

Isaiah 40:31 - More reasons to wait!

New King James Version (NKJV)

³¹ But those who wait on the LORD
      Shall renew their strength;
      They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
      They shall run and not be weary,
      They shall walk and not faint.''

Philippians 4:4 - Notice to rejoice is not a suggestion, but a command!

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

James 1:20 - Something I might overlook about righteousness 

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁰ for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Matthew 5:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.

Matthew 6:33

New King James Version (NKJV)

³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these
things shall be added to you.

Exodus 20:8 - So much competition for this day; O Lord, help me remember!

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁸ “ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Psalm 20:7 - Remember what TO trust, and what NOT to trust.

New King James Version (NKJV)

 ⁷ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
         But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Deuteronomy 32:7 - Remember and look for the "old paths" (Jere. 6:16)

New King James Version (NKJV)

 ⁷ “ Remember the days of old,
      Consider the years of many generations.
      Ask your father, and he will show you;
      Your elders, and they will tell you:

Psalm 119:55 - What to remember when it's night, it's dark & I cannot see

New King James Version (NKJV)

 ⁵⁵ I remember Your name in the night, O LORD,
         And I keep Your law.

The above verses are just a minuscule portion of all the counsel provided us in God's Word concerning what it is that moves God to act.  But this tiny bit is more than enough for me to chew on for a long time!  There's not much point in me moving on to more - until I've learned this, and am obeying this!  


I'm reminded of when the new pastor was asked by a deacon when he was going to stop preaching the same sermon over and over, Sunday after Sunday. The new pastor replied, "I'll move on to another sermon when you start obeying what's in this one!"


As always, may the Lord add His blessing to the study of His Word!