Get A Heart of Understanding

The Prophet Jeremiah had a full understanding of the condition of the human heart. As we approach the New Year, God's message to us through his prophet, "The heart is deceitful above all things, ...who can understand it? I the Lord searches the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." (Jeremiah 17: 9-10) God knows the inner most thoughts and motives that an individual might have. He knows what is being done in secret, what is being flirted with and what is secretly being entertained and planned. God is also able to find what is good in our heart, mold it, mature it and make it right for Him. He can make our heart tender to Him and to those whom He loves. He can make our hearts steadfast, pure and loyal. He is the one Who hands out correction, punishments, and eternal judgment. He is the one who opens the doors of opportunity and determines the results of our labors. He knows whether or not to appoint us to a task, what task to appoint us to and give us the proper authority in His name to accomplish His will. (Jeremiah 1:5) You see, it is the matter of the heart!

Our spiritual heart condition determines our ability to respond to God's promptings. It is possible to start a work with the Lord with our motives being wrong - (Number 22: 21-41) We see this truth in the Biblical account of the Prophet Balaam, a prophet who had such a reputation, the king of Moab said, "For I know that whoever you bless is bless and whoever you curse is cursed." (Numbers 22: 6)

This notoriety opened the door of invitation from King Balak to the Prophet Balaam, offering to pay him to put a curse on God's people. (Number 22:11) Catch this truth, God gives Balaam permission to go to King Balak, however, Balaam could only speak what God told him to proclaim. However something in Balaam's heart awakened God's Anger. The Bible says, "God was very angry as [Balaam] was on his way. (Number 22: 22) The Bible says, "The angle of the Lord told [Balaam] the path he was on was reckless." (Numbers 22:32) God told Balaam, if it were not for the donkey he was riding, the Lord would have killed him.

What was in Balaam's heart that angered God? In Numbers 22: 1-20, we read that Balaam was able to get revelation from the Lord, be aware of the Lord's presence and determine what God had for him. However, as we read on, not only did God intended to kill Balaam, his spiritual eyes were blinded to God's presence and purpose. (Numbers 22:31) The Apostle Peter gives insight to what was in Balaam's heart, he writes, [He] left the straight way and wandered off to the wages of wickedness." (2 Peter 2:15) As we read on in the book of Numbers, we see God gave Balaam a Heart Understanding about himself.

Like Balaam, Christians need a heart understanding. During a season of life they are walking in God's will, hearing and seeing Him in their lives. As soon as they feel they can beat the flesh, a world view, and Satan on their own. They no longer have the ability to discern when the wickedness of their own heart has deceived them. Like Balaam, they can find themselves being labeled as God's enemy.

Christian's who truly want to live the new year for Jesus, will say like the Psalmist who wrote, "Search my heart, O God... lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139: 23-24)