Hope and Heart
Lamentations 3:21-23 – “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. 22 The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”
As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, two words kept reverberating in my heart and mind – Hope & Heart. In Lamentations 3:21-23, the thought of Hope filled my spirit. In a time of stress and distress, the prophet was encouraged by Hope. He recalled, rehearsed, and revisited some truth anchors of his heart, giving him Hope.
God’s lovingkindness never ceases. God’s compassion never fails. In fact, he reminds himself that they are new every morning. That’s a great reason to meet God early! Begin the day in the fresh long-suffering and compassion of God!
In Mark 2:21-22, we find the revelation of Jesus through the practical domestic practice of patching clothes and the care of wine. Many make this wholly about structure or a new religious order. It contrasts the Old Covenant with the New Covenant. Yet, it is more about the heart than organizations.
The preceding discussion was about fasting. Fasting is to allow the body to step down and the eyes of the heart to turn fully from the natural to the spiritual. God does not focus on structure but on the heart. If our hearts are open to His Spirit, Hope will naturally be the fruit.
The heart of Jesus is the heart we desire and require. Jesus’ heart can be seen in many ways, but let me suggest one of the great examples is in Matthew 26:53. I doubt you have asked this question, but maybe you have. Jesus said that He could ask to be delivered, and the Father would immediately send more than 12 legions of angels.
Think about that. That was an incredible expression of love to resist doing that. He knew what was coming. Who would want to endure that? But what would have happened to humanity had Jesus made that request? Love said No, I will endure the Cross because I love!
He had Hope for Humanity, and His Heart was filled with love. He was fully surrendered to the Father’s Will. Because His Heart was fully surrendered, the Hope of humanity was realized.
We must never lose Hope! If we surrender our hearts fully, God will make us new Wineskins and fill us with new wine. Hope will spring eternal in our souls, enabling us to endure anything.
LORD, help us to be filled with Hope in our Hearts!
Are We Guilty?
Jeremiah 48:10 – “Cursed be the one who does the LORD’s work negligently…”
As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, I sensed a sternness of the Holy Spirit and yet a heart yearning to release more. A sternness? Yes! Jeremiah 48:10 stopped me in my tracks. “Cursed be the one who does the work of the LORD negligently…” That linked back to Jeremiah 45:4, “Behold, what I have built I am about to tear down, and what I have planted I am about to uproot…”
Two thoughts immediately flooded my consciousness. Just because God blessed and established something does not allow for negligence or half-heartedness. His blessings are not unconditional. He demands our full commitment and surrender. He accepts nothing less.
That is amplified in Matthew 25 in two accounts. The Ten Virgins highlights the requirement of being vigilant in commitment and current in relationships. The account of the two groups being judged and rewarded also provides understanding.
If Christ is our life and has first place in our hearts, we are never the focus; others are! We serve others in serving Jesus. When we do good or bad, are diligent or negligent toward others, we are doing so to Jesus!
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, to seek and save the lost, and to do good to others. It is negligent to take what God has given us and not develop it. In fact, God views it as wickedness. Remember the talents 5, 2, and 1! We either walk in the blessings of God or the curse. We either walk in favor or disfavor. We either serve others or ourselves.
My cry is, “Lord, help me to never look at another’s ability or function longingly but to look at what You have given me and help me be the best at it I can be.” Why do we seek a position or function? What is our motive? Total surrender brings total peace!
LORD, help us to never be guilty of doing Your work or assignment negligently.
Just Ask
Matthew 20:32 – “And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’”
As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, the last thing I read was like thunder in my heart. Matthew 20:32, when the blind man cried out to Jesus, He asked the question that I believe is God’s question of the moment. “What do you want Me to do for you?”
Think about that question. It is revelatory and leads to additional questions. What do we want from Jesus? What we say or desire reveals our heart, ambition, motive, and commitment. Not what we pretend to want, but what do we truly want? What is the real desire of our hearts? Only we can answer that! Don’t get religious, but examine your heart. What do you really want?
Now, ask yourself this question, “Why do I want it?” At that juncture, we get to the revelatory part. Now, we come face to face with the condition of our hearts. Now, we see what our view of life, ourselves, and God really is. That desire says it all. Why?
If Matthew 6:33 is really the driving passion of my heart, my wants will never be driven by selfishness or the pursuit of ease. My desires will be His Kingdom, His Purpose, and Him. Whatever moves Him will move me. Whatever breaks His heart will break mine.
The Why will reveal Who Jesus is to us and in us. Why do I want things? Why do I want advancement? Why do I want healing? Why do I want His presence? Why do I want His power? Why? What is my motive? Don’t get religious. Get real, Why?
It is self-examination time; if done with an open, exposed heart, it brings total release! So, What do we want Jesus to do for us and Why? I have found that some of my (What) had a wrong (Why), and I’m seeking to allow the Holy Spirit to sync my What and Why with His heart.
The question of Jesus in Matthew 16:13 is key: “Who do you say I Am?”
Today is your day of release! Rejoice in the LORD!
Are We Heartbreakers?
Jeremiah 13:17 – “But if you will not listen to it, My soul will sob in secret for such pride; and my eyes will bitterly weep and flow down with tears, because the flock of the Lord has been taken captive.”
As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, I heard something again that shook me. Jeremiah 13:17 was a reminder of how our sin, rejection, and rebellion affect God. “My soul will SOB in secret… My eyes will BITTERLY weep…” Our disobedience breaks God’s heart but not ours. That is tragic and dangerous.
How does sin affect us? Many, if not most, treat it lightly. If we truly considered the warning in Matthew 7:13-29, we would be crumpled in a repentant heap when we sin. If we could hear God weeping when we sin, sin would become so vile to us that we would avoid it at all costs.
In Matthew 7, we discover that it is not what we claim or identify as, but the fruit produced in our lives that reveals our true condition. God does not and cannot wink at sin. Claiming to be a Christian is not the same as having a surrendered heart.
A truth we often overlook is judgment. We forget that the measure or standard we use in judging others is the measure or standard God uses in judging us. When I consider the Cross, I understand why sin breaks God’s heart. When I consider the Cross, I understand total commitment. When I consider the Cross, I comprehend the boundlessness of Love!
The proof of my condition is revealed in the fruit of my life. It is undeniable evidence. Ignoring the fruit is to live deceived and doom ourselves to the danger of eternal rejection.
Matthew 7:21-23 demands careful consideration. Just calling ourselves Christians does not make us Christians. Doing exploits in the name of Jesus is superficial if He does not have our whole heart.
Proverbs declares a needed reminder, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
I am asking God to break our hearts over sin. Let us hear God cry.
LORD, break our hearts and help us not be guilty of breaking YOURS!
When God is Astonished
Isaiah 59:16 – “And He saw that there was no man, and was astonished that there was no one to intercede; then His own arm brought salvation to Him, and His righteousness upheld Him.”
There are times in our lives when events make the day a very sad day and prove to be a reminder of the times we are living in. The events of 9/11, Pearl Harbor, various assassinations and murders, etc.
Many of those events and all the senseless, evil acts transpiring are prolific reminders that evil is evil, no matter when or where it comes from. Today, there are heart-wrenching reminders of the biblical reality that we are in the last of the last days. The condition of the human heart has plunged to depths hard to fathom. It is bad. However, not to be a pessimist or a gloom-and-doom purveyor, it is going to get worse!
Something in Isaiah 59:16 gripped my heart today. “And He saw there was no man, and was ASTONISHED that there was no one to intercede; THEN His own arm brought salvation to Him…”
God was “astonished” that there were no intercessors! We get so invested and involved in the hate or being hated that we focus on the evil rather than the solution. We decry the wicked rather than crying out to God for their souls. They hate. They act violently and abominably. We then justify our animosity and anger, thirsting for retribution and revenge. God weeps over the lostness of man.
Yes, the senseless acts of men are horrific, wicked, and demonic, as is the case in every senseless act of violence. But if we lose sight of the real problem, we will become party to escalating and perpetuating the problem.
I am weeping for the families of the victims of mass murders and acts of terrorism. The children left behind need our immediate and continued prayers. I weep for a nation and people who choose to celebrate the death of a voice they disagree with. I weep over the lack of commitment to intercession by the church. I refuse to let hate dominate me. I choose to pray for the souls of people. I will stand for truth, knowing it could cost me my life, but I will not hate!
My prayer, “LORD, help us to be so moved by the depravity and hate that we become intercessors. Help us to manifest and demonstrate the love of God and refuse to be drawn into hate.”
I am weeping today! Weeping and crying for repentance, renewal, revival, and restoration. I do want those guilty held accountable, and at the same time, I pray they repent. I Choose Not to Hate!
LORD, help us to never be those who Astonish You, but be those You delight in!
Roy's Covenant Corner 