Heart Trouble

"And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever." - 1 Chronicles 28:9

Personal Note: This devotion is #3000. I can hardly believe it - never imagined it. Trust that you find them a blessing and encouragement. 

I saw that headline on the news feed I follow this morning.  I personally know several people - Christians - who passed away or have been severely affected this year from some malady of their hearts. Whatever their age when they pass, it is always too soon. But King David was talking about a different heart - the heart and soul of man.

In the spiritual sense, having a heart for anything but God by faith in Jesus is the number one reason people go to hell when they die. In that sense it is the number one killer for those who forsake a relationship with the Creator God.

That same David cried out to God asking that God would create in him a clean heart and renew a right spirit in him. Psalm 51 - read it. David was confronted by the Prophet Nathan. Recall that David had sinned with Bathsheba and got her pregnant. She was married to a soldier who was away fighting for King David and Israel.  So to cover his sin, when all else failed, David had Uriah the Hittite killed on the battlefield. When Nathan told a story - parable actually, David became angry because of the injustice described in the Story. David demanded to know who the man was so he could be punished to which Nathan replied. "David, you are the man." And so the Psalm. 

We all struggle with sin. even those of us who have given our hearts to God. The question is are we remorseful - do we regret our actions, our choices, our failings when it happens? Or do we ignore them and move on with life as if no wrong had been done. We would do well to remember that  --

"The Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought."

Today there are no prophets to confront us - but there is the Spirit and the Word of God.  

The Spirit convicts us of sin.

The Word is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.

It is critical for our heart health that we submit to both. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone