1 Hearts far from Me

“Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man.”

“ I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts.”

“Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.”

Psalms 73:21  When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,   I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.   Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.   You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.   Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.   My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.    For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

Psalms 92:5  How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!  The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever;

Psalms 69:5    O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.

Isaiah 29:13  And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,   therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.”   Ah, you who hide deep from the LORD your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?”   You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?   Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest?   In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.   The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.   For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off,

Matthew 15:7  You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:  “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;  in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

I think about my heart and if I am just serving God with my lips.  There are times when I can’t make sense of the purpose of my life.  I know it is to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey God, but what does that look like lived out.  Am I understanding His word in a way that is intended?  Are my ears open to hear His whispers of guiding me?  Are my eyes open to see His handy work?  Am I being filled anew each day with His Holy Spirit?  Do I desire Him more than this world?  Are my ears itching to hear something to confirm my lack of commitment is enough?  Am I a fence rider and living for this world and yet speaking of heaven?  Are my desires more for what this world has to offer?   I look forward to the day this battle with sin is over and I am with Him forever.  I trust in His grace, mercy and love through the redemptive work of Christ to usher me home with Him forever.

Chosen Portion

“I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.”

 

Psalms 16:5
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.  I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.  For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Lamentations 3:24
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

Psalms 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psalms 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalms 119:57
The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words.

Psalms 142:5
I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

Wow, what words of encouragement and hope when He is chosen, relied on, trusted in, and desired.  Listen to how men of God humbly talked about and described God in their life: My portion, my strength, my refuge, my hope, my joy, my instructor, my security, my counsellor. Is it possible we have so many distractions that it keeps us from a deep desire to know and serve Him more each day.    We all go through times of busyness yet there are those who seem to have found a way to keep God first in the midst of all of it. What distracts you from seeking and walking with Him? Whatever it is – make a mental decision and choice to begin new today with a heart desire to honor, glorify, serve, and obey God – place these first over all the other things of this life that can distract you.