Words are formed first in the heart.
Isaiah 29:13 – People draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me.
An elderly and wise rabbi said the problem he had with many Christians was that their “collars and cuffs don’t match.” When quizzed, he elaborated: What comes out of their mouths doesn’t match what their hands are doing. Today’s verse might give an inkling into the reason the rabbi said what he did. They talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.
Worshippers in Israel were not short on their praise for the Lord. They would meet in assemblies, sing and chant, dance and feast, but away from their places of worship, daily life took over. They really weren’t any different from many people today who claim to love Jesus with all of their hearts, but live inconsistently, making their purported devotion hollow.
God longs for a sincere devotion from His children. While man looks on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good; and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). As you prepare to vote, are you considering what God sees in your heart? If your devotion to Him is true, then your actions will fall in line with His Word.
Pray With Us
Merciful God, I long for the meditations of my heart as well as the words of my mouth to be always approved by You, to honor You, and to be consistent as I live out my life. Direct me when my path takes a different turn, and guide my footsteps according to Your plans for me. I surrender to You with absolute trust and devotion
Amen.
