A Wise Heart
Many times in life , it seems, that evil rides on the coat-tails of good intentions. Like Solomon… I pray for a wise and discerning heart.
1 Kings 3:9
Give me a heart that listens so that I can judge your people and tell the difference between good and evil.
1 Kings 3:9
9 So give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad. For who is able to judge and rule this Your great people?
As my journey with the Wild Goose approaches it’s second anniversary, I have come to the conclusion that a wise and discerning heart is of utmost import- A heart that hears the Still Small Voice! If we are to live life at the heart level, it would make sense that we gain a wise heart.
Over and over in scripture the mention of a wise heart is paramount to an abundant life. Here are just a couple passages….
Ecclesiastes 10:2
A wise person’s heart leads the right way. The heart of a fool leads the wrong way.
Proverbs 16:21
21 The wise in heart are called prudent, understanding, and knowing, and winsome speech increases learning [in both speaker and listener].
Coupled with a wise heart is a renewed mind…. We need a complete change in the way we think!
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.
And it seems that with wisdom comes the ability to see that our days are numbered and then live with a focus and purpose that makes the most of each day.
Let’s say that you went to the Dr and were just told that you have three months to live. Chances are great that this knowledge will change the way you view life and go about each day, hour and moment. I belief that’s what Moses is talking about in Psalm 90.
Psalm 90:12
12 Teach us how short our life is,
so that we may become wise.
12 Teach us to understand how many days we have. Then we will have a heart of wisdom to give You.
12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
The Apostle Paul concurs with Moses…..
Ephesians 5:15-17
15 So then, be very careful how you live. Don’t live like foolish people but like wise people. 16 Make the most of your opportunities because these are evil days. 17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord wants.
In closing, I go back to Psalm 90. I think it very important to note how Moses talks with God. He is obviously comfortable in his relationship with the Father. By the sounds of it, he is not afraid to tell him how he feels. He comes boldly! Not cowering and afraid as if God is a mean spirited task master, but as one who has proven that his Heavenly Father is loving and compassionate and a giver of good and perfect gifts.
Psalm 90:12
12-17 Oh! Teach us to live well!
Teach us to live wisely and well!
Come back, God—how long do we have to wait?—
and treat your servants with kindness for a change.
Surprise us with love at daybreak;
then we’ll skip and dance all the day long.
Make up for the bad times with some good times;
we’ve seen enough evil to last a lifetime.
Let your servants see what you’re best at—
the ways you rule and bless your children.
And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us,
confirming the work that we do.
Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do!
It all goes back to our view of the Father, how we perceive him with our hearts and think of him in our minds. This is vital to real life! That is why our enemy is ever after us. To pierce our hearts with his lies about the Father. To muddy our minds with his propaganda!
That is why Jesus’ statement in John 10 is crucial for us who seek Life… Real Life!
John 10:10
10 The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.
Note- both Jesus and Satan are very intentional in their purpose and objective. They know their roles and pursue them with all they have, utilizing every resource available to them. Thanks be to God who has won our victory in Christ Jesus!
Live, Love, Laugh! Jonathan