Heard!

(9-19-04)

Psl.66:16-20

          David was heard by God and that is an awesome thing. Why was David heard? The answer is found in Psalm 66 verse 18 + 19 “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened: but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.” The heart holds many things.

          There is hardly a week, if not a day that goes by were I am asked to pray, and this is also true of many, if not most of you also. It is humbling to say the least. I desire for the sake of the needs of all who ask to have a voice that is heard. Is that true for you as well? Our topic is personal growth and maturity. We all have room to grow towards  that picture in the minds eye of God himself that he sees is our completed and perfected person in him.

          One of the stumbling blocks or road blocks to growth in maturity and in our relationship to God and to each other is what we hold in our hearts. (see Phil.2:1-16) there is much said by Paul here about what is held in the heart.

·        Being united in Christ held high in value

·        Being loved by Christ felt and appreciated

·        Being linked or coupled together a strengthening

·        Being unafraid of genuine care and nurture

Paul speaks of these good and right residents of the heart and then follows with a foreboding: Those elements that can drive the good residence into hiding or worse; fleeing.

          When we empty our heart of those things that hold us at arms distance from God’s tender embrace, then we to will have reason to declare: “Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me….God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer…” We then too can sing: “Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!”

          What we hold in our heart that hinders our growth and maturity and our relationship to our Lord Jesus and to each other is not always sin. Anything that is put above honoring God first and foremost is a hinderer to that which is good and right between us and our God. (James2:21-24) I do not doubt for a minute that Abraham did not love his son. I think he loved him intensely. God, for Abraham’s sake and for our who learn by his example, desired to grow him up. To make him mature. (and how old was Abraham when God was still growing him up? HMMM!)

          James tells us that Abraham’s faith was made complete by what he did. God called him to let go of what he valued in his heart and hold the Almighty and his relationship to Him as greater in value. Abraham’s actions were the demonstration that what he held in his heart was God first and foremost. What his onward growth and maturity needed God new and provided. And Abraham was God’s friend.

          How can we each best encourage one another in our journey towards the vision God holds for us?

·        Lay your heart open before God

·        Be trusting enough of God to let go those things that hinder

·        Be brave enough to step out in faith – God will hold you up.

·        Let Jesus work out His will for you, in you.

And every knee shall bow before Him who is Lord – Jesus!