Bible Society of South Africa

What is too heavy in your heart? – 17 November 2021

By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

Bible text(s)

Psalms 24

3Who has the right to go up the LORD's hill?

Who may enter his holy Temple?

4Those who are pure in act and in thought,

who do not worship idols

or make false promises.

Psalms 24:3-4GNBOpen in Bible reader

Psalms 139

23Examine me, O God, and know my mind;

test me, and discover my thoughts.

24Find out if there is any evil in me

and guide me in the everlasting way.

Psalms 139:23-24GNBOpen in Bible reader

Proverbs 4

23Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.

Proverbs 4:23GNBOpen in Bible reader

At home, Texans Kristy and Jared Owens’ suitcases, were the correct weight to fly to Las Vegas. To their surprise, the air hostess at the airport informed them that they were 3 kg overweight. They decided to inspect their suitcases just to find Icky, their beloved Chihuahua, who was hiding in one of Jared’s cowboy boots. Icky must have crawled into the suitcase when none was looking.

In our lives, we must be aware of things crawling into our hearts. Things like bitterness, offense, inferiority, anger, you name it. If we don’t inspect our hearts, these things grow like weeds. It influences the way we treat others and can even cause us to stop hearing God’s voice.

The Psalmist understood this. In Psalm 24: 3-4 we wrote: “Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart … ” Also in Psalm 139:23-24 he writes: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” And then in Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Do you struggle to hear God’s voice? Is there perhaps something that has crept into your heart that you need to get rid of? God bless.

Prayer: Father God, I want to hear Your voice more clearly. Please show me if there is anything in my life that is preventing this. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Bible Society of South Africav.4.24.4
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