I will always remember what dad told me about 10 years ago. He said, “I’ve had broken bones, fell off a roof, and been in a car accident, but nothing hurts like a broken heart”. Those words have stuck with me. I interpreted it as the pain of broken bones is temporary and will eventually heal, but a broken heart could last a lifetime. Which is more tragic? King Solomon in Proverbs 4:23 said, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”. The heart is quite an amazing organ. It not only pumps blood through its four chambers and through the aortic valve to the rest of your body, it is a life source that contains valuable treasure. Treasure meant to be protected.
In Luke 6:45, Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks”. Jesus speaks of two different men. The first, has treasure that is good in which he produces good things, and the second is evil in which he produces evil. What they have in their heart is what they produce. What they speak is what is in their hearts. Therefore, we must be mindful of what we allow to enter our hearts.
Jesus said in Mark 6:21, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. Who or what is influencing your heart? I encourage you to do some heart checks throughout the day. And ask God to show you where your treasure lies. David said in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.” David set an example for us to follow. David sinned and made many mistakes. I imagine that he had a broken heart after losing a newborn son. David also had an older son that was murdered. Yet, in spite of all that, David prayed for his heart often. He prayed for the place where his treasure lied. He spoke out of the abundance of his heart desiring a good, clean, and right heart because he knew he would produce just that.
David continues to give thanks to God with all his heart (Psalm 9:1) , and asks Him to test and examine his heart and mind (Psalm 26:2). Why was the heart so important to David? I believe it is because David, being a king of Israel, wanted to serve and offer an abundant treasure to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. What if you had the task of shopping for a gift for a billionaire. What would you offer this person who most likely already has everything he or she could ever desire? The gift would have to be far more valuable then an earthly possession. Likewise, what gift could King David offer the Creator of the Universe, God Almighty, the great God Jehovah, the great “I AM”, the Beginning and the End? His heart.
The treasure that God desires from David, from you, and from me is not made of silver and gold. It’s not your money or anything you can see. Your heart is meant to worship and serve Him. A place that is reserved for Him only. All that He is can flow out of it! Each beat is a chance to bring forth good and not evil. Each beat is a chance to have a clean heart. Each beat is a chance to give thanks. Each beat is a chance to love. Each beat gives us the opportunity to serve.
Blessings,
Dr. Lisa Brown
