Are We Wise Hearted?
1. Wise Hearted
2. Stirred Up In Wisdom
3. My Heart Is Stirred
4. A Believing Heart
5. A Reflective Heart
6. A Thankful Heart
7. A Seeking Heart
8. A Forgetting Heart
9. A Broken Heart
10. A Blessed Heart
11. A Weary Heart
12. A Troubled
13. A Longing Heart
14. A Peaceful Heart
15. A Glad Heart
16. Ezra Prepared His Heart
17. Daniel Purposed In His Heart
18. Mary Pondered In Her Heart
19. Hannah Prayed From Her Heart
20. Josiah Humbled His Heart
21. God’s Great Love
22. Love The Lord With All Your Heart
1. Wise Hearted
I have been reading in the book of Exodus and I was drawn to the phrase, “Wise hearted”. I looked it up and those two words are used together seven times, beginning at Exodus 28, and continuing through Exodus 36. It is not used together like that anywhere else in the Bible. It was used to describe men and women that were filled with the spirit of wisdom to do the work of the Lord. During the month of February we often think of hearts as a sign of love. Let’s look at some of the descriptions of hearts in the Bible.
“And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.” (Exodus 28:3)
“And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee; ” (Exodus 31:6)
“And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the LORD hath commanded;” (Exodus 35:10)
“And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.” (Exodus 35:25)
“Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded.” (Exodus 36:1)
“And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:” (Exodus 36:2)
“And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work made he them.” (Exodus 36:8)
2. Stirred Up In Wisdom
Have you ever seen something that needed to be done, and you were stirred in your heart to do it? I believe that we can accomplish more when we are “stirred up” to do something. It is a wonderful feeling to accomplish something that you have a passion for. We saw that the men and the women were wise hearted, and here we see the wording a little different. “And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair.” (Exodus 35:26) As we continue through 2025, let’s have a fervent zeal in our heart to work for the Lord. I believe that we can get so much more done for the Lord if we are stirred up to do His will.
3. My Heart Is Stirred
As I was typing the devotions yesterday, I thought about a song that I used to hear when I was young. I can still hear the chorus in my mind. “My heart is stirred whene'er I think of Jesus, That blessed name which sets the captive free…” This song was written in 1946 as, “A Name I Highly Treasure”, by Oscar C. Eliason. I can fully agree with the author. My heart is stirred whenever I think of Jesus! As the disciples on the road to Emmaus, may our hearts be stirred within as we talk with Jesus. “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)
A Name I Highly Treasure
(1) I've learned to know a name I highly treasure.
O how it thrills my spirit thro' and thro'!
O precious name, beyond degree or measure,
My heart is stirred whene'er I think of You!
Chorus
My heart is stirred whene'er I think of Jesus,
That blessed name which sets the captive free --
The only name thro' which I find salvation.
No name on earth has meant so much to me.
(2) That name brings gladness to a soul in sorrow.
It makes life's shadows and its clouds depart --
Brings strength in weakness for today, tomorrow,
That name brings healing to an aching heart.
(3) That name still lives and will live on forever,
While kings and kingdoms will forgotten be.
Thro' mist or rain, 'twill be beclouded never.
That name shall shine and shine eternally.
4. A Believing Heart
I often make Christmas ornaments to give away. When I am searching for new ideas, I see many that simply say, “Believe”. My problem with just using the word, “Believe”, is that it doesn’t tell us what to believe. Is it telling us to believe in the magic of Christmas? Is it referring to believing in Santa Claus? I have heard people say that it doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you have faith in what you believe. This is wrong. I read a story about a little girl that believes she is a cat, so even when she is at school, they let her drink milk from a bowl on the floor, and use a litter box. That does not make her a cat. As Jesus taught the people, He said, “Ye believe in God, believe also in me.” Believing in Jesus is the only way of salvation. Believing in Jesus is the only way to have forgiveness of your sin. Believing in Jesus is the only way to go to heaven.
“1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:1-6)
God’s Holy Word tells us what we need to believe in order to be saved? First, we must believe that we have sinned, that we have done wrong. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23) And the penalty of sin is death. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Next, we must believe that Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, came down from heaven and died to pay for our sin. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Then, we must believe in our heart, and confess our sin to Jesus. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10) Do you have a believing heart? You can ask Him to save you, and He will!
5. A Reflective Heart
We are four weeks into the New Year. After being in the hospital before and after Christmas, I am having a slow start. The things that I told myself I would do, have become hit-and-miss. Some days I have energy and can work on my goals, and other days I lie down at night and feel like I didn’t get anything accomplished. At my cardiologist appointment last week I was told to take it easy for a few more weeks, and my strength would come back. I was thinking about all these things, and how easy it can be sometimes to get discouraged, and I decided to write on a reflective heart. I want to tell you the same thing I am telling myself. Don’t mark off the New Year, yet. We have only come 4 weeks and we still have 48 more weeks in 2025. Don’t give up. If I am struggling with my diet and I eat a brownie that I made for the grandchildren, then I am prone to eat ice cream, and anything else sweet that’s in the house. I need to reflect on my struggles, and keep trying. The Lord gives us each new morning to start fresh and live for Him. Maybe we didn’t reach our goals for January, but we can keep trying. Reflect on the things of the Lord and look unto Him in prayer. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:21-22)
Reflective not only means deep, careful, thinking, but to reflect also means to send back light or energy. Jesus is the Light of the world. When we are saved the Holy Spirit lives in us and we are to reflect the Light of Jesus, and the love, and the peace and joy of the Lord. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) Let’s have a reflective heart.
6. A Thankful Heart
Today I have a thankful heart. Yesterday the temperature rose up to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and a short time ago we were keeping a fire in the woodstove because the lows were below freezing. I am thankful for a break in the cold with some warm days. I am also thankful for the promise of spring. I enjoy living in a state where we experience winter, spring, summer, and fall, all in a year’s time. I am thankful that my strength is returning and I am able to work outside on these nice warm days. I am thankful for running water that I can turn the faucet and have cold water to drink and warm water to clean and shower. The Lord blessed me with all of this in one afternoon. Most of all I am thankful that Jesus died to save me and He gave us His written Word so that we can know how to be saved. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit showed me that I was lost when I was a child and Jesus saved me and has been with me all these years. God is so good! We spent the month of November with our focus on Thanksgiving, but we can be thankful every morning when we rise, until we go to bed each night. “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 106:1)
7. A Seeking Heart
So many people are seeking for something to bring peace and tranquility to their mind, and heart. If only we could point them all to Jesus! God has promised, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) Are you seeking for help to overcome your troubles? Look to Jesus! “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10) Seek the Lord with all your heart and you shall find Him. Only God can give us peace in these troubled times.
“29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.” (Deuteronomy 4:29-31)
“10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;” (I Chronicles 16:10-12)
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7:14)
Some who sought God…
Hezekiah – “And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.” (II Chronicles 31:21)
Ezra – “ For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” (Ezra 7:10)
David – “When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” (Psalm 27:8 ) “ O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;” (Psalm 68:1)
8. A Forgetting Heart
I talked about a reflective heart, and things we need to think about and remember. But, there are also things that we need to forget in our heart. Things are stored deep in my memory that happened many, many years ago. Sometimes a sound, a word, maybe a person, will stir something in my mind that brings those memories back up and they can be quite vivid. We can’t always forget people or experiences that hurt us, and in our mind, they may still be painful. But, I think that we can try to forget them in our heart. I know personally that it doesn’t help to dwell on the pain of the past. I sometimes struggle to put it behind me and go forward. Even though I can’t erase it from my mind, I can heal easier when I try to forget it in my heart. There are also mistakes that I made in the past, that need to stay in the past. I’m bad to play the “could’ve, would’ve, should’ve” game and blame myself for things that went wrong. I need to forget those things and accept them in my heart. Saul caused havoc on the early church, but he was able to put it behind him and as the Apostle Paul he did great things for Christ. We are still learning and being enlightened from his writing. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
9. A Broken Heart
Matthew was around 6 years old when he fell on concrete and hurt his arm. We took him to the emergency room and they did an x-ray and said it was not broken. We took him home, but a day or two later he still could not use his arm so we took him back to the ER. Taking an x-ray from a different angle, they found that his elbow was broken and put a cast on his arm. Matthew told me that he prayed the first time, that they would not put his arm in a cast because he thought they would cut his arm when they took it off. When it kept hurting, he was ready for a cast. Someone can have a bad break and it is immediately apparent, but there are other times when we are broken and it is hidden. The Lord can help us heal when we are broken. “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3) When we lose someone near and dear to us, grief leaves us with a broken heart. There are other ways we can be broken. We may not be able to take our family out to eat because we are broke. That’s financially broke. My last watch would pause, and lose time. I kept wearing it until I bought a new one to keep up with my steps, but it was broken and didn’t keep the right time. If someone asked me what time it was I had to tell them that it was broken, because they couldn’t tell by looking at it. We may be broken inside and people can’t always tell. We may be broken spiritually. “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” (Proverbs 15:13) We can also feel broken mentally. Things we suffered through in the past, and failed expectations can leave us broken. Depression and stress are real, and can cause a nervous breakdown, and impair our ability to function. If you are broken physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, or in any other way, don’t suffer alone. Seek help from the right sources. Try to find a trustworthy Christian friend you can talk to. Don’t let fear of a cast keep you from calling on the Lord to bind up your wounds. And if someone reaches out to you, with feelings of being broken, listen, even if you don’t have any answers, listen. Search the scriptures for guidance. And we can always pray. Pray with them, and pray for them, because we serve a God who loves and cares for us. David said, “Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.” (Psalm 69:20) Be a comforter to the broken hearted.
10. A Blessed Heart
I live in the South, and if a Southerner tells you, “Bless your heart”, it’s not always a compliment. It may be spoken by someone who truly cares and wishes you well, or by someone who is trying to cover up an insult. But, today we are looking at a blessed heart as a wonderful blessing from God.
Did you know that you can read the Bible in a year if you read 23 chapters each week? I like to begin in Genesis in January and try to read 3 or 4 chapters a day. Some days I also read from the book of Psalms. One day when I was reading in Psalms I thought how nice it would be to have a Bible that has 2 book mark ribbons to mark my place. Fast forward a week or so, and we were at our son, Daniel’s, house. Allison had fixed a wonderful meal, and it was a nice evening. Daniel handed me a Bible and he asked if I could use another one. He said he has several and this one was large print, and had two ribbons. Only the Lord knew of this desire, and He put it on Daniel’s heart to offer me that Bible. God has blessed me in so many ways through the years. He has blessed us with a loving family and a nice home. Pine Grove Baptist Church is a wonderful, Bible believing, church where we worship with loving friends. Pastor Rick Byerly and his wife are a joy to know, and a great blessing to our church. The Lord continues to bless me. “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” (Psalms 119:2) “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8) Sometimes I include this blessing in cards that I send.
“24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
11. A Weary Heart
Last Sunday Pastor Rick Byerly’s sermon was from Galatians 6. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” I want to share a few notes that may help someone today who has a weary heart.
1. The Precaution About Weariness – “And let us not be weary in well doing:”
Don’t grow weary in doing what is right. Don’t get weary in restoring your brothers and sisters in Christ. (vs. 1) Help bear their burdens. (vs. 2) Prove yourself to be a child of God. (vs. 4) Teach the things of God. (vs. 6)
2. The Preciousness – “for in due season”
We measure everything in time. We are responsible for the sowing, and God is responsible for the harvest. Sow the seed when it’s hot, in the heat of the battle. And sow the seed when it’s cold, to cold hearts. Sow in the flood of problems and in the drought of spiritually. (vs. 7-8)
3. The Prevailing Danger – “If we faint not.”
Weariness leads to discouragement. Weariness leads to apathy. Weariness causes us to lose heart and quit on God.
“1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:1-9)
12. A Troubled Heart
When children get in trouble there are a few options: deal with it on their own, find someone to tell and get help, or try to hide or ignore the trouble. As I thought about this, I realized that adults have the same options. We can face our troubles and try to get help, or we can try to hide or ignore our troubles. When our children were small and Michael was telling them the story of Jonah for our devotions one night, David, then 3 years old, said, “You can’t hide from God.” And he was right. We may be able to hide our troubles from those around us but we can’t hide our troubles from God. God knows all about us. I really like Psalm 139. Read it and see how much God cares for you.
“1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:1-4 & 17)
Even in the deep, dark sea, in the belly of a whale, God heard Jonah’s prayer. We may feel like we have sunk as low as we can go, but we can still take all our troubles to the Lord in prayer. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (I Peter 5:7) We can also help others pray about their troubles. It is a blessing to me when my children call me about troubles they are facing in life, and ask me to pray for them. It is an honor for me to pray for them and their families. Put your trust in Jesus. He can give you peace in this troubling world. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
13. A Longing Heart
What are we longing for? Some may look at the past with longing in their heart to return to a simpler time. Others may be longing for a better job, or a bigger house. The Bible shows a longing as a hunger and thirst after the things of God. “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” (Psalm 107:8) “<<A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.>> O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;” (Psalm 63:1) Jesus said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) As I get older, and the ways of the world continue to turn away from God, I long for the coming of the Lord. “My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.” (Psalm 84:2) We long to see our loved ones who have gone on to be with the Lord. When Jesus calls us home, we will live with Him forever and all of our troubles and trials will be over. I can say with John, “Even so, come. Lord Jesus”
“16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelations 22:16-21)
14. A Peaceful Heart
When I am worried about something, I can’t sleep. If I continue to be worried, I can’t eat. Worry takes away our joy, and worry robs us of our peace. Are you worried? God’s Word tells us how to overcome worry. The Apostle Paul gives us the answer in his letter to the church at Philippi. First, he tells us not to worry, but to pray and be thankful to God. Then, he tells us that instead of thinking about what is causing us to worry, think about things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of a good report. If we follow these scriptures it can help us have a peaceful heart.
“6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Philippians 4:6-9)
15. A Glad Heart
We can have a troubled heart, or a broken heart of sorrow, but, praise the Lord we can also have a glad heart. In Psalm 16 David said, “Therefore my heart is glad…” There are reasons in this Psalm that David said his heart was glad and I can say the same. I especially like verse 6, “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” I am thankful and very glad that He blessed me with Christian parents and grandparents. I am thankful and glad that I was brought up in church. I am glad that the Lord saved me when I was young and has been with me all these years. When I read the Bible I am reminded of all the goodness of the Lord, and it gives me a glad heart. Do you have a glad heart?
“5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:5-11)
16. Ezra Prepared His Heart
Today is the Lord's Day and many will go to church to worship the Lord. Are you prepared? I am sure that my pastor spent time in prayer and Bible study to prepare his heart for today's sermon. Sunday school teachers and singers also took time to prepare before going to church. Our scripture reference takes place years after the Children of Israel had been carried into captivity by the Babylonians. When Cyrus became king of Persia he allowed some of the Jews to return to Jerusalem. This remnant of people rebuilt the temple and Ezra returned from Babylon to teach God's Word and restore law and ritual. "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments." (Ezra 7:10) This is a good lesson for us today. As we get ready in our Sunday "go-to-meeting" clothes we should also prepare spiritually. We can follow Ezra's example and prepare our hearts to seek God's Word, to follow it, and to teach it to others. Don't leave all the work up to the preachers and Sunday school teachers. Read your Bible and prepare your heart to seek God. Let's look at two more examples in II Chronicles. "So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem,… And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD." (II Chronicles 12:13-14) Did you see that last line? "And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD." We read of Jehoshaphat in II Chronicles 19:3-4. "Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God. And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers." He prepared his heart to seek God and it was counted to him as good. We need to prepare our heart to seek God.
17. Daniel Purposed In His Heart
Daniel was one of the children carried away in the captivity to Babylon. Daniel 1:4 describes them as “Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.” They were put in the care of the prince of the eunuchs to eat the daily provision of the king and drink his wine for three years. Then they would stand before the king. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8 ) He asked to be fed pulse and water for ten days. “And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.” (Daniel 1:15) Verse 20 tells us that the king found Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, (who we know as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), to be “ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.” Daniel was away from home, but he purposed in his heart not to defile himself. It may be easy to stay on the right path while we are at home or at church, but there comes a time when we may be faced with the temptations of this world. It is so important that we purpose in our heart to follow the Lord, and not fall away to temptation.
18. Mary Pondered In Her Heart
Some of my sweetest memories of Christmas are rocking my babies in the light of the Christmas tree and singing softly to them. They grew up and married, and now I am blessed to be making memories with my grandchildren. It gives me joy to spend time with them, and the joy stays in my heart as I ponder our times together. We read of the events of Christmas in Luke 2, and I can only imagine her joy as Mary pondered the Lord’s birth and the visit from the angel and shepherds. "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) Look again, when Jesus was twelve years old, and Mary and Joseph found Him in the temple. We see that Mary “kept all these sayings in her heart.”
“46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.” (Luke 2:46-51)
Just as we ponder good memories of events in our daily life, sometimes it's good to ponder in our heart, all that the Lord has done for us!
19. Hannah Prayed From Her Heart
When I was growing up our mid-week service was called, “Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting.” We still had singing and preaching, but at some point we would share prayer requests and kneel at the altar and pray. I think it got too hard for many of the elderly to kneel at the altar, and now we pray at our seats. It is hard for me to get up from the floor, and there are many much older than I am, so it would be hard for us to have the altar prayer, but sometimes I miss it. Sometimes I wonder if we still pray from our heart as we used to do. The book of Samuel opens with the story of Hannah. She wanted a baby boy so much that she prayed from her heart. Eli, the priest, saw her and thought she was drunk. I am including more scripture so we can “feel” the urgency in Hannah’s prayer. This speaks to my heart and reminds me that I need to spend more time, and thoughtfulness, in my prayers to my loving Lord.
“9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.
13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.” (I Samuel 1:9-18 )
God answered Hannah’s prayer and gave her a son. Just as Hannah prayed from her heart, she was also able to rejoice from her heart. "And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God." (I Samuel 2:1-2) We ask the Lord to bless our food before we eat, and that is good. But, is it from the heart, or is it just repetition? Every day I pray for my family, and for others, but do I really pray for them from my heart? One blessing from going through cancer is that I pray more from my heart for those who have cancer because I know their pain. I need to take the time to really pray from my heart, not only in the bad times, but also in the good times. Sometimes I feel the Lord's blessing on my life so much I pray with thanksgiving from my heart. Then it seems like God blesses me even more. I want to be more like Hannah and pray from my heart.
20. Josiah Humbled His Heart
Many times rulers will lift themselves up in pride, but Josiah was a young king who humbled his heart before God. "Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left. For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images." (II Chronicles 34:1-3) He broke down the idols and their altars in Judah and Jerusalem. He directed the workers to repair the house of the Lord. As they worked, Hilkiah, the priest, found a book of the law of the Lord given by Moses. The scribe read it to King Josiah and he rent his clothes. "Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book." (II Chronicles 34:21) Because King Josiah humbled his heart, God promised not to bring the punishment on the people during his lifetime. “And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard; Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.” (II Chronicles 34:26-27)
God's Word promises that those who humble themselves will be exalted. "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:4) "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:12) This message is repeated in James 4:10, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." Also, in I Peter 5:6, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:" We can also read the dangers of having a proud heart in Proverbs 16:5 "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished."
21. God’s Great Love
God created Adam and Eve and gave them a beautiful garden home. “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) Adam and Eve ate of the tree, and sin brought death. And since that day everyone has been born in sin. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Sin also brought separation from God. “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:8) God gave His Son, Jesus, to die in our place and forgive us of our sin. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) We can ask Jesus to forgive us and be saved, all because of God’s great love. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Jesus paid for the sin that separated us from God and we can trust Him and be saved and have everlasting life with Him.
22. Love The Lord With All Your Heart
I am reading in the book of Deuteronomy and I came to the verse, “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5) Jesus tells us that this is the greatest commandment. As we finish up our “Heart” devotions, let’s ask, “Do we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength? Do we love others?” “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (I John 4:7-8 )
“28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mark 12:28-33)
