“Above all else, guard your heart.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
“Your heart is the secret place where you meet God. Keep it a sacred place as well.”
My thoughts and comments today are about a “heart health.”
Your heart is important. In an average lifetime, your heart will beat approximately 2,838,240,000 times; that’s an incredible 2.8 billion times, and done tirelessly as long as it remains healthy. So much of your overall well-being is dependent upon your heart properly functioning. According to the Franklin Institute, “Blood is the fluid of life, transporting oxygen from the lungs to body tissue and carbon dioxide from body tissue to the lungs. Blood is the fluid of growth, transporting nourishment from digestion and hormones from glands throughout the body. Blood is the fluid of health, transporting disease fighting substances to the tissue and waste to the kidneys.” Physically, your heart is essential to all God created your body to do. Practice good habits of diet and exercise for better heart health.
Not much thought is given to one’s heart, as long as it works as it should. When it doesn’t there is much concern to find out what is wrong and what to do to make it right again. When your heart is working as it should and as God intended, you are doing well. That is true as well in your spiritual life. Spiritually, the heart is described in the Bible in a very different manner – the spiritual center of everything God redeemed you to become in Christ Jesus.
When Samuel was to anoint a new king over Israel, God reminded him that the “The Lord does not see as man sees . . for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV. What does God see when He looks into the secret place of your heart? What you hold secretly in your heart may be known only to God but will not long remain hidden, expressed in conversation and conduct. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 NKJV.
Listen to Solomon’s advice, “My son, give attention to My words . . do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them . . Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Read Proverbs 4:20-23 NIV. Your heart is to be carefully protected at all times from anything that would turn your heart from God. Mark 12:30 NIV.
Here is Solomon’s wise counsel why you should guard your heart. See Proverbs 4:20-22 NIV. God’s Word is life to those who follow His commands; the right things in your heart are health to your body – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, “for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning.” Here’s Solomon’s counsel how to guard your heart. (Verses 24-27). Keep God’s Word in your heart foremost; avoid deceit at all times; focus on where you are going; stay on the right path; run from evil.
Your heart is the secret place where you meet God. Keep your heart a sacred place where God feels welcome. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8. A prayer I was taught to pray long ago is: “Lord, make of the timber of my life a temple, not a tavern.” See Psalm 51:10-13.
My prayer for you today is that your heart will lead you to God, if you will listen.