Our hearts…..and our lights
Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”
Our spiritual lives begin, when we are born again, when God gives us light!
It is as the “dawning light”…for it first dispels the black darkness, we were in……
…..and grows brighter and brighter…..till we are at high noon….with the Sun over head…and no shadows between the Lord and us. (The perfect day)
This is the path that the just, or the justified through Christ, are to walk.
And if this is not your case? Then it is time to consider, at what you stumble.
Proverbs 4:19 “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.”
The wicked “know not”……but as Christians, we should at least know what we stumble over.
“Stumble” is an interesting word…..it can be as simple, as to waver through weakness…..or as destructive, as to cast down, decay, or be overthrown.
God has promised if we will….”Hear, O my son (daughter)…and receive My sayings;….” (Proverbs 4:10)
That:
Proverbs 4:12 “When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straightened;…” (or be in distress)
“…and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.”
The Lord has given provision for every step….(this is in our walk with Him)
…and even when we need to run….(this is in our ministry race, to finish it)
Proverbs 4:23 “ Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
“The issues of life”….what is of real value to you. What really counts where you are concerned? What is hidden in your heart?
These are the issues of life for us.
When I first heard this verse….years ago….it was in a message my husband had….and I thought,
“Sure, I understand it. The things that are important to me….should never take God’s place in my life.”
Simple….but that is not only what it means. It also means, what is stored away….or a hidden part of our hearts.
Why does a memory cause so many regrets….or anger….or resentments?
Why does seeing someone make you bristle….even though you smile?
The “issues” of life…..is what is in our hearts…..and, plainly….they come out in our expressions…..in our attitudes,…..in our words…
Keep…..guard, watch…..over to see, what it is, that you are feeling,….what it is you are expressing…in your tone…..even when the words are right.
Keep your heart from becoming a storage shed….for hurt, mockings, hate….and any of the world’s attitudes.
How?
First we need to understand that our heart is deceitful…..it lies to us.
It will say: “I love God”. (When it will not yield to His promptings, or obey HIs corrections)
It will say: “I have forgiven this one, or that one”. (When what it means is….that as long as they stay away from me, I will not mention their wrongs.)
Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
If God left us here…..there would be no hope for us to “keep our hearts”.
But He does not leave us….
Jeremiah 17:10 “I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins (will), even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
If a man’s ways are constantly looking toward God, in honesty…..even though there are failures and falls……then, God will give Him abundant help to bring forth the fruit of repentance and righteousness…..and…
…he will be able to “keep his heart” for the Lord.
Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts;
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Our hearts….and our lights…..need constant watching, lest we deceive ourselves as to how we truly are…..
…..and let our lights grow dim…..or go out before others.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 