As a dear friend of mine described some medical tests that she had recently undergone, she mentioned that there had been some videos taken of her heart that she was able to view. As most of us would be, my friend found herself quite fascinated to see her heart beating on the screen in front of her.
As a diagnostic tool, these videos enable the doctors to determine whether or not the different parts of the heart are functioning properly and if there has been any damage that needs to be repaired.
That conversation sparked a thought:
If God were to take a video of a heart that a person could also view, what would be seen?
Now, I know that God doesn’t need a video to view the true condition of a heart, but it might prove useful to diagnose its function and health.
Just as doctors have to learn the right way to view a video of a heart, we, too, have to know the standards for looking at the human heart. God reveals His standards in the Word.
The first thing that God might highlight is whether that heart truly belongs to the Lord:
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” Ps 13:5
“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” Heb 3:12
Next, the Lord might inventory the priorities of that heart:
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” Ps 28:7
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Ps 119:11
God might even run some diagnostic tests:
“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.” Ps 17:3
“If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart?” Ps 44:20-21
“All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.” Pr 21:2
How does this apply to your life as a wife?
These truths are foundational: before you can be the wife that God has called and anointed you to be, you must make sure that your heart is right before the Lord, that your priorities are correct, and you must allow Him to show you the truth of your heart in all things. The Lord will uncover the most serious issues that require immediate attention first.
Often we find that we don’t know the exact condition of our own hearts until we find ourselves in a difficult situation.
My friend didn’t even know there was a problem with her heart until another problem shined a light on it.
I know that I have had that experience more times than I’d like to admit…unaware of a serious issue until it is brought to light by something else.
I believe that in this year of Living Intentionally Free, we must ask God to show us a video of our hearts before we get to a place of crisis. We must choose to seek His wisdom, ask the hard questions, and pursue those areas of our hearts that need to be addressed by the Great Physician.
Next week, we’ll look at this a little further.
Praying for our hearts,
Rebecca
From flickr.com via Pinterest
God gave me a glimpse into my own hear this weekend and I walked away feeling ashamed. So thankful that He also gives us grace and forgiveness when we acknowledge our wicked ways and turn from them to Him! I pray your post will ignite many wives hearts to “SEE” the true state of where they are and they too acknowledge and turn to God.
Powerful devotion, Rebecca. I see now why you spent so much time on it!! God wanted to get it just right.. 🙂
Rebecca,
Words can’t share enough how on time this devotion is! As I sit here, anxious & trying to figure out why!?! Still even after reading this … I know its time to get a check-up on this heart 😉
Thank you so much for sharing!
Heather, God’s timing is always perfect, isn’t it? I’m praying for you as you seek Him for wisdom and answers. I know He will reveal exactly what you need to know! Thanks for taking the time to comment back to me…it means so much!
Cherie! I love your transparency and encouragement. You are a blessing to me!