Day 14 - Tuesday

Day 14

 

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Nestled safely behind the breastplace lies our heart.  Yes, physically we have a heart, but spiritually as well and Solomon reminds us that the heart is at the center of all we do.  Just as it is most important to protect and keep our physical heart healthy, we must also take care of our spiritual heart.

 

Solomon says that from it comes the "wellspring" of life.  The King James Bible says that from it come the "issues" of life.  This word "issues" in Hebrews is a word that means "boundary" or "source."  In other words, he is telling us that the source of life comes out of our heart and sets the boundaries of who we are.  Therefore, it is imperative that you and I guard our hearts.

 

What is found in our hearts?  It is in our hearts that our desires are found: Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."  Our heart is the spiritual container of our dreams, callings and desires.  When we seek to find our joy in God, he will stir his desires in our hearts and call us to follow after him.

 

From our heart, we worship God.  "I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders." Psalm 9:1 (NIV)

 

It is with our hearts that we believe.  Faith is birthed in our hearts.  "…That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."  Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)

 

Because of this, we can expect the enemy of our souls to battle against our hearts.  This is why God gives us his righteousness to be a guard and a covering for our hearts.  He desires to be able to express himself through our hearts.  He calls us to love him and to love others, and he wants to do it through us.  Our hearts will be the vehicle through which the world will feel the love of God. 

Prayer:  "Jesus, my heart holds so many things: desires, faith, worship and more.  Cover me with your righteousness so that I might be your vehicle of love and grace as you love others through me.  In You I pray, Amen."