It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace.Heb. 13:9
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Pet. 3:18
Dear Lord Jesus, this little verse impacts me in several ways. I’ve lost friends and family members to heart disease—through genetics and life-choices. I’ve also had other friends suffer heart attacks, both young and old alike. So the themes of heart-care and good health are quite personal to me.
However, what will it profit me if I eat only organic meals from Whole Foods, can still run an eight-minute mile at age sixty-five, have a cholesterol level of 125 and a resting heart rate of 60, and yet have a heart that is weak in your grace? As the apostle wrote, “physical training definitely has some value, but godliness has value for all things, for both this life and the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:8).
So lead me to the gym, the training table, the sauna, the spa, and the workout regimen that will cause my heart to grow stronger and stronger in your grace. For, surely, the more my heart is strengthened by grace, the more it will beat for your glory and long for your kingdom; the less likely I’ll run to broken cisterns and cling to worthless idols; the more fully I’ll find my satisfaction and completion in you, and less in other people and other things.
As my heart is strengthened by grace, I’ll repent quicker, forgive deeper, and love louder. I’ll throw more gospel parties and fewer pity parties. I’ll be less inclined to nurse grudges and more inclined to overlook stuff in others. I’ll whine about circumstances less and worship you more. I won’t think less of me; I’ll just think about me less often.
I think I’ll stop right there, Jesus, and enter this day with that thought, that longing, and that great hope. Indeed, it is good—it is very good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace. So very Amen I pray, in your merciful and mighty name.