God knows my heart

 

And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, “Lord, will you kill an innocent people? Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.” (Genesis 20:2–7)

God’s man is in foreign territory and fearful for his life. He told the king of that place that Sarah was his sister and the king took her, only to be told by God she was Abraham’s wife. The king pleaded ignorance and God already knew this so he spared him. Not only that, He protected Sarah from his advances and told the king to return her or he would suffer the consequences.

Such is the love and power of God. Abraham was far from perfect and usually trusted God, but this time he took matters into his own hands and could have lost his wife and his life. Yet God intervened based on His knowledge of this king’s heart. He prevented Abimelech from even touching her. 

If I were in a position of power, listening to the politicians and other people of influence would make me want to take matters into my own hands at times also. Even the sins of those I know are enough to get a rise out of me. But I don’t know their hearts. This is not an excuse to do nothing, but it is a reason to pray for them, like Abraham prayed for the king so he would live. 

Two people come to mind. One uses aches and pains to gain attention. The other gets horribly upset and snarky over the most trivial things. They don’t know God — and I don’t know  their life issues or the stresses they endure. I know that they need Jesus, yet even then, Christians struggle when life puts them in fear and they try to fix it themselves. I’ve done it too.

Jesus, this story has a lesson for me: Don’t jump to conclusions when others do the wrong thing. In this case, the king did what he thought was okay. I’ve gone that route myself. When corrected, he pleaded innocence “in the integrity of his heart” and God knew this was true. You know my heart also. Enable me to always match the inner person and the outward actions, without pretense or excuses, always remembering that You know my heart.

Sovereignty of God produces peace… or cursing?

Last week I read a social media post where the woman who wrote it declared she was not a child of God and not subject to Him in any way. She said she could do what she wanted and expressed her views with colorful language.

This made me both sad and disgusted, sad because she didn’t have a love relationship with her Creator, and disgusted that she had no regard for God except to curse Him and boast of her independence from Him. Doesn’t she know Paul’s words to the unsaved people of Athens that they should “seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ “ (Acts 17:27–28)

No one can draw another breath apart from the will of God. As for being subject to Him, Charnock writes this: “He can make a man of not willing, willing; the wills of all men are in his hand; i. e. under the power of his scepter, to retain or let go upon this or that errand, to bend this or that way; as water is carried by pipes to what house or place the owner of it is pleased to order and backed it up with:

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord, he turns it wherever he will. (Proverbs 21:1)

Years ago, before my hubby knew Jesus as his Savior and Lord, he asked me to bend the truth to a supplier so we could save some money. I didn’t want to do that, so I asked God to help me with the right response. He surprised me by somehow changing my husband’s mind. That, and countless other examples demonstrate His power to me and in the world.

This is an historical reality, the reason why Christians pray big prayers. It is because our BIG God can do whatever He wants done. 

An OT story is just brief but shows how the Lord thinks about human needs. Baruch was a secretary for Jeremiah. He knew God’s words about the enemy coming in to take His people into captivity and this man was upset about the threat. This is what God did:

The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he wrote these words in a book at the dictation of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of ß the son of Josiah, king of Judah: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: You said, ‘Woe is me! For the Lord has added sorrow to my pain. I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest.’ Thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord: Behold, what I have built I am breaking down, and what I have planted I am plucking up—that is, the whole land. And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the Lord. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go.” (Jeremiah 45:1–5)

Sometimes I hear Christians moan because of current threats to our safety and well-being. Sometimes I do it too. I need to remember that God is still able to turn the hearts of kings. I may wonder why some of them are bent on destruction or other sinful goals despite our prayers, yet God takes care of those who obey Him and He uses catastrophe to discipline those who do not listen or do what He says. Jeremiah makes that clear. The experiences of my life also make it clear. 

PRAY: Lord Jesus, You know what You are doing. I trust You even as I fear the direction the world seems to be going. At times, I feel as if You are saying: ‘You want to run your own lives? Let’s see how that works out for you.’ At the same time, You are bringing many to Jesus, stories that seldom make the news but stories that began with You going to the fearful and giving them new life in Christ as a prize, even as those fearful events do not cease. You can change hearts, and for that I am both excited and grateful. 


 

These people need prayer . . .

Leviticus 15; Psalm 18; Proverbs 29; 2 Thessalonians 3

The Bible has much to say about praying for other Christians but says very little about praying for anyone else — except that I’m to pray for kings and other leaders. For many, this is a challenge. However, this verse set me thinking about how to pray for people in high places:

“If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.” (Proverbs 29:12)

First, this is a proverb: a short saying stating a general truth or piece of advice. Biblical proverbs are just that and since the author, King Solomon, was considered the wisest man of his day, these sayings are expressions of his God-given wisdom.

He has much to say about leaders in this OT book. As a king, he was aware of what rulers need. He gives many ideas of God’s will for them that help me know how to pray during these days when all world leaders are in the hot seat.

For instance, the one above urges me to pray that our Prime Minister and the US President will not listen to falsehood. If they hold to the truth, those who work with them will be more apt to do the same. There is more . . .

• Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. (Proverbs 14:34) Pray for righteousness in our leadership. If they sin, everyone suffers shame and disgrace. This concept is reinforced:

• It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. (Proverbs 16:12–13)

• A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. (Proverbs 28:16) Pray that our leaders understand reality, other people, what is happening and what to do about it. Pray for God’s enlightenment so they are not duped in any way. Pray also that they will not be lured by anything that seems a gain yet unjustly takes advantage of others.

• A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully. (Proverbs 14:35) Pray that our leaders will recognize those who come before them with wise, just and honorable ideas and they will honor such efforts. These qualities might seem a rare commodity in political circles so leaders can be suspicious of every idea, yet God can give discernment. Pray also for wisdom as they deal with those who have ulterior motives and are not considering that the outcome of their plans might bring shame to the nation.

• The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will. (Proverbs 21:1) Pray that leaders recognize the sovereignty of God over their lives and decisions. Pray that they will seek His will rather than assume every thought and plan they have is the right one. Ask God to always speak to their hearts. Better that a person obeys God willingly than be oblivious to His plans.

• Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:5–7) Pray that all people in high places will realize they are accountable to God and that God rewards those who obey Him. This could bring peace rather than hostility from enemies.

The wife of a respected college professor listened to praise from one of his students. Then she said, “Don’t forget that he is a mere man who puts his pants on one leg at a time.” She gently pointed out that even the greatest of leaders has a sinful heart and if their self-centeredness is allowed to rule, it will ruin his life. It is true for all of us, and true for leaders.

 
In my opinion, being a leader and under the public eyes (and sharp tongues) makes living righteously more difficult, especially for those who are concerned about their ratings. They want to lead the best they can but are fearful of losing support at the polls. All our leaders might do a far better job if we give them our support on our knees.

APPLY: Obvious. Go pray.