"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8 NIV).
If you notice there is much concern in our society with the state of your heart. Doctors urge us to exercise, eat right, and watch the dreaded cholesterol. Since the heart is what keeps us alive, we have a greater tendency to want to take care of it, but it also is the seat of our spiritual life. In the Bible there are many references regarding the heart and how God views it to see how we stack up spiritually. "Man looks at the outward appearance, but God the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV) How does your heart measure up?
David gave his son, Solomon sound advice about God's knowledge of his heart and his motives. "And you my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts" (1 Ch 28:9 NIV). Sobering isn't it? God knows you inside and out. There is nothing that you can keep from him.
How can you make your heart pure? Reading the Bible will help you keep your heart pure because it tells you how you should live as a Christian. In the parable of the sower Jesus speaks about the seed that was planted in good soil. "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop" (Luke 8:15 NIV).
I know that your life can get pretty hectic, and sometimes it is easy to forget to study the Bible and pray. It is so essential to do these things in order to have the kind of relationship with the Lord that you need in order to have a pure heart. This week make a conscience effort to read the Bible every day, pray, and do what you know is pleasing to the Lord.
Dear Lord,
Help us as we strive to have pure hearts. Help us to take time to read the Bible and pray so that when you look at our hearts you will see only pure motives. We know that you can help us as we strive to do your will.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
