Above All Else

I was reminded recently of the importance of whatever I allow my heart to dwell on. I was reading the account of Lucifer’s rebellion and fall from heaven in Isaiah 14:12-15. Lucifer was anointed as the cherub who would cover and guard God’s throne. He was created perfect and was exquisite in beauty. From what we can glean from Scripture he may have been in charge of the worship in Heaven. But then we read in Ezekiel 28:15, ‘You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.’ So, where did it all go wrong for Lucifer – this anointed cherub to whom great power and authority had been given in the heavenly realms? Why was he cast from heaven and his name changed to Satan – meaning adversary?

In Isaiah 14:13-14 we see that rebellion started with what he said to himself in his heart! ‘You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”’ He decided within his heart that he would do some very specific things to attempt to elevate himself above God, and His angels, and His glory. We know that these decisions didn’t remain in his heart alone, because Lucifer managed to influence a third of the angels to rebel with him, and they were cast from Heaven with him. What started and grew inside his heart had an outworking in his actions.

I realised afresh how important it is to examine and search my heart regularly, and especially when I find myself feeling anxious, negative, and out of sorts about things. David said in Psalm 139:23-24, ‘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.’ Our key scripture warns us to guard our hearts above all else, because our actions – everything we DO and SAY – flows from it. What we allow to remain and grow inside our hearts will definitely translate into behaviour and words, which either glorify, or dishonour, God.

Whatever enters our hearts usually starts with a thought. That’s why Philippians 4:7 encourages us to pray about everything which causes us to be anxious, ‘And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ It also explains why verse 8 goes on to admonish us to ‘Fix your (our) thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.’

1 Samuel 16:7 says, ‘Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’ So the cry of my heart is, ‘May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer’ (Psalm 19:14).

Prayer: Lord, I love You so much, and I want my heart always to be transparent and teachable before You. Help me to guard what I allow my heart to dwell on, and to bring to You the things that are unlovely and out of line with Your truth, in Jesus’ name. Amen.