April 12th: Heart of the Matter pt. 1

Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross this type of living within our heart and mind is possible.

Ancient Hebrew defines heart (levav) as “authority within”, considering it the center of a person’s mind or thoughts. Scripture confirms this thinking in multiple passages including Matthew 15:19 “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies”, Luke 5:22 “Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, why are you thinking these things in your heart?” Psalm 26:2 “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart” amongst many others. 

       There’s no denying how closely these two (mind and heart) are connected in feeding one another, both literally and figuratively.  Our heart pumps blood continually to the most complex, thought processing, reasoning and intellectual organ in our body. Likewise, thoughts, taken in through our various senses, are a direct result to the passion, hope, emotion and desires within our heart.  You cannot have one without the other and call it a relationship much less faith.

God in His Word described David as a “man after my own heart” in 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22.  Instead of choosing to only see lies, adultery and murder – God looked on his heart and saw repentance, obedience, faith, sovereignty, devotion, trust, humility, respect and love.  David did everything God wanted him to do and he did it relentlessly.  Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verses begins “Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the Law of the Lord.  Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart- they do no wrong but follow His ways”. 

David went after God with his mind and it showed in his heart! The Good News is, you can too. It requires intentional living, direction and focus of what we value in the time that remains in our lives. Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross this type of living within our heart and mind is possible.

How is it possible you might ask? For me, I can’t help but think and ask for it to forever dwell within my heart, the unexplainable and unconditional love Jesus had for each and every one of us as he came to die for yours and my sin. I find it so important to dwell on how He endured being wrongfully accused, mocked, spat on, flogged, muscle torn from His back, a crown of thorns beaten into his head, nailed naked to a cross and the first thing He says “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”. 

Let us strive to look at our heart in this season and ask the question “Have I let Jesus and the work of the cross deal with the heart of all my matters?”

*written by Joseph Costello