Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV
How important is the heart? Well, as we accept Christ, our hearts no longer belong to us, but to HIM.
My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways. Proverbs 23:26
The Lord is very concerned with protecting our hearts, and also our ability to share him with those whose hearts are empty.
It is written:
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 NIV
It is also written:
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 NIV
An empty or hardened heart is one that leads to spiritual ruin. We meet people every day who have both. It’s our Lord’s desire to fill the void in their hearts.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8 NIV
God demonstrated his love for us, from the beginning, when he promised he’d send Jesus, in response to man’s sin in the garden. Jesus came to soften hardened hearts, and to fill those whose hearts are empty.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalms 34:18 NIV
God wants to protect our hearts so he makes a point of telling us to guard them.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Peter gives us an unshakable reason to further guard our hearts when he writes:
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 NIV
It is within our hearts that Christ dwells.
Our hearts belong to him!
We must encourage those who have a void within their hearts, to open up their hearts to Christ so he can fill that emptiness.
Remember – One man holds the answer! Jesus!
Barnabas
Special thanks to Barnabas for this guest submission.