For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
You ever start a project with good intentions, only to realize that your real intentions are somewhat different? As if you know your thoughts, but you think you can bury those under another thought and another thought until you find an intention that sounds noble.
For example, a man finds out that he is needed to serve the King. (Think fairy tales for a second.) He begins to serve the King and finds himself attached to the promise of good wages, good attention, the fawning of maidens. . .
Enter in something dangerous: A dragon, for instance. Nobody wants to fight this dragon, so the King offers a reward: his daughter’s hand in marriage, if she is rescued from the dragon. (I forgot to add that the princess was taken. Sorry.)
The man then says, “I will save her.”
But, why does he save her?
- For her hand in marriage?
- For the prestige of marrying a princess?
- For the good of the kingdom?
What happens? He saves her and becomes King.
Does he care about the princess, at all?
So, it goes with so many. . .
We may begin something for the sake of the good, but then our hearts shift.
GOD knows these shifts. The next verse explains how we are not hidden from His sight. Everything we do, He knows. Everything we think, He knows.
And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:13
This can be a bit unsettling at first. But, I want you to think about something for a second: our natural need for help. . .
How often do we start a diet or a new fitness regimen or anything where we want to improve our lives?
What do many people do?
They seek ACCOUNTABILITY!
As humans, most of us want accountability. We know instinctively that we cannot do things on our own.
So, GOD offers His word to shine a light on our thoughts, deeds, and, more importantly, the intentions of our hearts.
This is not really scary, it is rather liberating.
The Holy Bible is always available to us.
- Online
- On our phones
- Paper format (hard copy)
- Memorized verses (internal copy)
But, for those moments when we don’t have access to the Word, or even our own words and thoughts, He is willing and able to hear our cries.
He understands the groans of our hearts.
Why? Because of the Holy Spirit.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us
with groanings too deep for words.
And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:26-28
So, I end this with an admonition that not all intentions are good at the root. GOD knows our hearts and if we are really honest, His Word will shine a light into the dark places of ourselves and we will find His purpose.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Search our hearts and help us to shine a light into the darkness. Help us to focus on Your will for our lives.
Guide us into Your intentions and purpose.
Help us not to be led astray by our unwillingness to know our true nature.
Thank You for Your Word, Your Spirit, and all that You provide so that we may know You.
We praise You and ask for strength and guidance.
Build up our faith.
In the Holy Name of Jesus, our Messiah, the only reason we are able to come to You, we ask these things.
Amen.
Shalom.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33
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