A Strengthened Heart!

The heart is an important organ within the body. It’s work of re-oxygenating the blood and pumping it through the body is vital to living and being involved in the varying activities of this life. If the heart is weak, movement and activity are greatly limited. For one to RUN AND WORK HARD the heart must be strong. It is a muscle of the body that must be strengthened for endurance to be developed.

Just as this is the case with the physical body, so it is spiritually. A lot depends on the conditioning of the heart. Are we seeking God’s help in developing the heart’s capacity to sustain the life He desires us to live?

The psalmist stated…
“I WILL RUN IN THE WAY OF YOUR COMMANDMENTS WHEN YOU ENLARGE MY HEART!” ( Psalm 119:32 ESV)

According to the Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon, the Hebrew “rachab” means “to be or grow wide”, “be or grow large” or “to be widened, be enlarged”, and is even used of “broad or roomy pasture.” As the psalmist considered his life being lived in God’s commands he sought for God to enlarge his heart. There needed to be room in his heart for God’s commands to be established. His heart also needed to be big and strong enough to sustain the activities of his whole body in enduring service to the glory of God.

It is nice to take a leisure stroll through the commands of God; taking time to meditate upon the principles He has laid down. It is important for us to walk daily in them, recognizing God’s Word as a path for each step we take. However, the psalmist stated his desire to “RUN IN THE WAY” of God’s commandments. John warned against going on ahead (or “running ahead”, NIV) and not abiding in the teaching of Christ ( 2 John 9), but we can RUN in the truth God has revealed.

Do we trust what God has revealed enough to leave timid shuffling of steps behind and RUN CONFIDENTLY in His Way? Do we have a heart that has been enlarged and strengthened -- being filled with the Word of God -- to RUN WITH ENDURANCE in the Way He has laid before us?

Paul’s prayer for the brethren at Thessalonica was…
“May the LORD DIRECT YOUR HEARTS to the LOVE OF GOD and to the STEADFASTNESS OF CHRIST.” ( 2 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV)

May God enlarge our hearts so that we can continue taking in His Word and so develop the love of God and steadfastness of Christ for living. Having our hearts strengthened in such a way will allow us to CONFIDENTLY RUN WITH ENDURANCE in the Will of God. We don’t have to worry about being tripped up on His pathway.

Have a great day PRIMED TO PERSEVERE IN THE PATH OF GOD!
Carl

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