“And he acted evil because he did not set his heart to seek out the Lord” (2 Chron. 12:14).
I’ve never met anyone who woke up in the morning planning to fall into temptation. Rather, we fall because we have not prepared our hearts. Just as in the natural, a healthy physical heart is essential to live a productive life, the same is true in your spiritual health! Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” We must have a healthy heart (spirit) to be led by the Holy Spirit and to hear the voice of the Lord.
The word “prepare” means to establish, fix, prepare or apply. It conveys the idea of deliberate effort over a prolonged period of time
The word “fixed” means: 1) firmly, in position, stationary; 2) not subject to change or variation; constant; 3) firmly held in the mind; a fixed notion (American Heritage Dictionary).
No one can prepare their heart on their own. This is not a matter of “sheer willpower.” As we yield to the Holy Spirit and cry out to the Lord for help, He will hear our cry. Only when we trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not unto our own understanding can our heart be established.
The power of memory is a vital part of preparing our hearts. The Lord warned the children of Israel not to forget the mighty works He had performed for them lest they turn away from following Him (see Deut. 4:9, 23; 6:12; 8:11-14,19.) He linked memory to staying true to the Lord.
What did the Israelites do? Psalm 78:41-42 tells us, “Yes, they tested God over and over,
and provoked the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember His power, nor the day when He delivered them from the enemy.” How do you forget walking through the Red Sea? They limited the Holy One of Israel because they did not remember!
When your heart is not established and fixed on the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord, it is very easy for Satan to divert your attention and block your memories of that faithfulness.
When Moses died, Joshua was chosen to lead the children of Israel into the promised land. I can only imagine what Joshua was feeling. He had been one of the 12 spies sent in to scope out the land 40 years before. He had walked around the same old mountain during those years hearing all the moaning and groaning of the people.
God spoke very clear words to Joshua of how to be strong and courageous. Joshua 1:8 gives him clear instructions: “This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth. Meditate on it day and night so that you may act carefully according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way successful, and you will be wise.”
When we are born again, we become partakers of the divine nature. You have a part in receiving the promises of God. You have to create an environment that invites the presence of God so you can hear His voice and follow His ways (see 2 Pet. 2:2-4, John 10:4.)
What was God doing? He was saying, “Joshua, you need to build new memories.” He had seen the giants in the land. For 40 years, the children of Israel had walked in fear and never saw the promised land.
The enemy’s only weapon is deception by feeding you lies of your past that create fear that will paralyze you. Satan can only talk to you about your past, because he doesn’t know your future!
As a new creation, your memory needs to start at the cross. Romans 12:2 tells us to renew our minds. Philippians 4:8d says, “Think on these things.”
When you are meditating on the truth of God’s Word, you are choosing your thoughts, and Satan can’t fill your head with his lies. When you meditate, you are allowing the Holy Spirit to form God’s thoughts in your mind. This is how you renew your mind! Revelation of the Word of God will start flowing, you will see the truth that will set you free (John 8:32) and you will make your way prosperous in all things!
Just like Eve, you have been given the power of choice. You choose what you think on. Your choices produce life or death. Eve did not value God’s Word. She chose to meditate on what Satan said to her and believed a lie, giving him power in her life.
The established heart is anchored in God’s Word, and no storm of life can shake it. {eoa}
Joyce Tilney, author and teacher shares how to overcome the trials of life in her latest book, “The Real Woman Grows Roses from the Thorns of Life.” Roses bloom in season, but thorns are always there! For more info: wogministries.com. Books are available on Amazon.
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