On what have you set your heart?

"Keep your heart with all vigilance; for from it flow the springs of life" (Proverbs 4:23).

The goals you have set for yourself in your heart determine the direction of your life and will ultimately determine your eternal destiny.

People set their heart on many different things. When someone's heart is set on something, that comes first in his life. Some people set their heart on riches or on obtaining a high position in society. Some set their heart on pleasure, on having fun. Some have dedicated their heart to their work, which is even more important to them than their own family or their own health. Some set their heart on some sport, either as a participant or as a fan. The setting of our heart can always be read on the gauge of our lives. It influences how we use our prime time. We always find time for something if we have set our heart on it. It influences how we use our money. We usually find money for something if we have set our heart on it. It influences the priorities in our lives. If we have set our heart on something, that is given priority.

On what should our hearts be set?

When the people of Israel were lamenting because of their bondage, this is what Samuel told them: "'If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your heart to the LORD, and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.' So Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the LORD only" (1 Samuel 7:3).

They would receive a blessing if they returned to the Lord with all their heart, if they directed their heart to God.

If we have mistakenly set our heart on something other than God, we too need to return to the Lord with all our heart and direct our heart to Him.

King David was a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). As he made preparations to build the temple, he gave this admonition to the people: "Now set your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the LORD God" (1 Chronicles 22:19).

The people heeded the admonition and gave generously so the temple could be built. In thankfulness, David prayed: "O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building thee a house for thy holy name comes from thy hand and is all thy own. I know, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness; in the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen thy people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to thee. O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep for ever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of thy people, and direct their hearts toward thee. Grant to Solomon my son that with a whole heart he may keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision" (1 Chronicles 29:16-19).

In integrity of heart, David and the people had given freely and joyously that the temple might be built. David prayed that God's people might always have dedicated hearts. He realized that this condition of the heart was much more important than any physical building.

The temple at Jerusalem was merely a symbol of the true temple of God, which is the heart of the faithful, and collectively, the church of Christ. As Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Thus we too should direct our hearts toward God and serve Him whole heartedly, giving generously and joyously of ourselves that we might build the temple of God.

Failure to do this also has its consequences. Of David's grandson, Rehoboam, we read: "And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the LORD" (2 Chronicles 12:14).

Ezra is a good example to follow: "For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach his statutes and ordinances in Israel" (Ezra 7:10).

First of all, one must know the Scriptures, one must know the will of God. Such knowledge does not come without great effort and much time spent in study. This effort and time will be spent only if one has set his heart on obtaining knowledge. Otherwise, there are too many distractions. But if one has set his heart on learning the word of God, he will find the time and he will make the effort required.

But knowledge alone is not sufficient. Ezra had also set his heart "to do it." We must put the things we learn into practice. Jesus said: "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it" (Luke 8:21).

Ezra had also set his heart to teach God's will to the people. In every generation God needs men who are willing to set their heart on making His will known on earth. This requires great dedication. It is a difficult job because most people do not want to hear the message. But the word of God is the vehicle of salvation for those who are willing to listen.

Paul wrote: "The scripture says, 'No one who believes in him will be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call upon him. For, 'every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.' But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!'" (Romans 10:11-15).

Thus, men are needed today who will follow the example of Ezra: "For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach his statutes and ordinances in Israel" (Ezra 7:10).

Let us return to the LORD with all our heart, and direct our heart to Him. Let us set our mind and heart to seek the Lord our God. In the uprightness of our heart let us direct our hearts toward God.

"For it is the God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6).

"Keep your heart with all vigilance; for from it flow the springs of life" (Proverbs 4:23).

Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982,
Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers unless indicated otherwise.
Permission for reference use has been granted.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)