Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. 1 John 5:21 (NLT)
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 1 Cor. 10:14 (ESV)
My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways. Prov. 23:26 (NIV)
Dear heavenly Father, the battle for our hearts is nonstop, and this war will continue until the Day you perfect your salvation in us. What encourages me the most is your relentless pursuit of more of our hearts. You want us, you delight in us, and you enjoy us. A big Hallelujah to all of that!
Through the gospel, you’ve already taken away our stony hearts and have given us a new heart; and you’ve written your law upon our hearts and placed your Spirit there (Ezek. 36:26). As though that’s not enough, you’ve also forgiven every sin of our hearts and have declared our hearts to be guiltless and righteous in your sight. This is all truly astonishing, and truly true. So what does heart-idolatry look like is this season of my life? What vies for your place in my heart? Heart-warfare is subtler than it used to be.
Father, I don’t find myself sucker-punched by the craving and quest for more and newer material things, more power and authority, or more acclaim and applause by the world. Rather, the battle for my heart centers more on my turning legitimate desires into un-promised goals. Whenever I make a good desire a central need, I’m in trouble. What does this look like? Father, hear my confession, as I give you my heart.
Father, I want to live in a world (now) of no relational tensions and no emotional conflicts, no angry words and no sarcastic body language, no misunderstandings or need for clarifications, no unforgiveness and no un-reconciled relationships, no nursing grudges or hoarding bitterness, no withholding grace or throwing threat grenades, no pouting and no withdrawing, no pretending and no gamesmanship, no imputing motives or believing the worse, no gossip, just gospel.
Father, that Day is coming, and it’s called life in the new heaven and new earth. Until that Day, help me to live and love to your glory, period. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ big and beautiful name.