What's In Your Heart?

1 Kings 8:9 – “The only things inside the Ark of the Covenant were two stone tablets. Moses had put them in the Ark of the Covenant at Mount Sinai. That was where the Lord made his agreement with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt."
      A popular series of media promotions displays many diverse and tedious situations where the solution is as easy as having the right credit card in one’s possession. The commercial always ends with the catch phrase – “what’s in your wallet?” The statement emphasizes that no matter what the ordeal, if you have this particular item with you…then you are ok and things will be worked out. God wants us to examine - “What’s in your heart?”
     Today’s scripture tells of the beginning content of the Ark of the Covenant. The first items placed in the sacred box were the stone tablets which Moses placed there at Mount Sinai. Upon these two tablets were written the laws given by God. It is remarkable to examine how the first thing that God does for believers is to establish a new covenant with us. He does this by writing his will, his law and his purpose in our hearts. In the Old Testament the laws were spelled out to the letter of what was acceptable and what was not. The children of Israel were instructed to keep these commandments close at hand and the repeat them often in order to know them and the special relationship they represented with God. Since we now live under the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the laws have been engraved in our hearts.
     When we are in perilous situations, under unbridled pressure, feeling forlorn or just needing reassurance; we can recall the ‘laws’ of God by searching our own individual hearts and finding the appropriate words for any occasion. The law has caused us to look at ourselves a little more closely and to repent of shadowy glimpses of things we know do not honor or please God.
     What is in your heart? Can you call upon what you have stored there to serve your needs when the time of upheaval arises? Do you have enough banked up so that in an emergency you have no doubt that what is in your heart can save you from stress and turmoil? If you feel that something is missing or displaced then it is time to open your heart, clear out the cobwebs and start today replenishing your supply. Study God’s word; read God’s promises; pray for revelation and spiritual discernment.
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Don’t be distracted, stay focused on your purpose! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn