Today’s Verse: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
God gives you the amazing promise of a new heart and spirit in his Word, but you need to take steps to protect your heart.
Keep Your Heart
The passage places great emphasis on walking rightly which is vital to embracing God’s purpose for your life. However, the core of this righteous walk begins in your heart. Of course, this is not something you can do in your own strength but through God’s empowering grace.
The instruction is clear in the passage; guard your heart. But, why is it so important to pay attention to your heart and watch over it? It is vital, “because the source of life flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23, GW). What is in your heart will be displayed in how you live for all to see.
Good Fruits
It is simple, what is sown in the heart produces fruits in your life. It’s time to choose between a heart that produces good fruits and one that bears evil fruits, from what is stored in it. Be like “the good man [who] brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart” (Luke 6:45).
Guarding your heart means meditating on the Word of God and making sure that your heart is focused on God's promises. You watch over your heart when you choose to believe God’s Words, in spite the negatives things that are happening around you. Even more, it is resisting the urge to dwell on bitterness, harshness, and perverseness that are so much a part of today’s world.
Peace of God
It takes effort to “watchfully keep your heart,” but draw from God’s strength. Consequently, you will enjoy God’s peace in a special way when your heart and mind rest on him (Isaiah 26:3). You will find you not easily harassed by the challenges of this life.
What peace you find, when your heart is in a place of rest instead of strife. Determine to walk by faith, and in the storm, keep your eyes on the one who stills it (Matthew 8:26).
Reflections
Take time to reflect on what it means to guard your heart. Then, think carefully on the questions below, and write your responses.
- What are the things that I am constantly dwelling on in my heart on a daily basis?
- How has my life been going since the start of the year?
- What steps can I take to watch over my heart to ensure that I meditate on the things of God instead of things that seem to urgently grab my attention?
Prayer
"Our Father, you are wonderful to me! You have given me your word to show me your way. Thank you for reminding me today how important my heart is. Thank you for the ability to truly watch over my heart, to keep my focus on the truth of your Word, so that my life can reflect the life of Christ in me. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen."
Declaration
"Today, I choose to meditate on the Word of God, so that faith ,not fear saturates my heart."
Today’s Focus
Take five minutes during the day to meditate on Proverbs 4:23. List simple steps you will take to make sure that you spend more time each day dwelling on the truth of God’s Word.
Source
- Biblos (2011). “Proverbs 4, New International Version.” Retrieved from Scripturetext.com. Accessed August 2011.
Posted by: Keturah
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