Statement:
You should know what is inside your heart, especially during adversity!
(Deuteronomy 8:2 NASB) ‘2 "You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.”
Hebrew / Greek Word Study
Focus Word: In Your Heart = (ִבִּֽלְבָבְךָ֛ (bil·ḇā·ḇə·ḵā)) = ( Hebrew / phonetic sound)
Strongs Definition H3824: inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding
Scripture Thoughts:
This is a scripture that all of the people of God should know and understand. Our Lord is interested in developing each and every one of us. Therefore, He is going to test us so that we know what is on the inside of our hearts. God is omniscient (all-knowing); He already knows what is on the inside of us. This is the very reason Israel was in the desert for 40 years instead of 11 days. It actually was an 11-day journey from Horeb (Mount Sinai) to the Israelite's Promised Land. But because of their disobedience, unbelief, unwillingness to fight, and distrust in the power of God. They were made to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. The Lord knew for them to take the Promised Land, they needed to become stronger than they currently were. What is even more important, the Lord knew they could not take the Promised Land with their current negative mindset of faithlessness and unbelief.
One of the first things God did when handing the Israelites their punishment for faithlessness is to tell them that no one 20 years or older was going to enter into the promised land. What this was going to do was wipe out all of the current adults and get rid of the negative way of thinking. The Lord knew He could not allow that defeated mindset to enter into the Promised Land. Therefore the defeated mindset needed to die in the wilderness. What He also needed to do was prepare the next generation that was going to be allowed in, how to trust, have faith, and rely upon Him. So when this is being read by Moses to the Israelites that were getting ready to go into the Promise Land, they understand that God was testing them, preparing them for what was before them.
My Thoughts:
The Israelites had to be prepared for the blessing they were getting ready to receive from the Lord. The blessing God was giving them had to be fought for. It is the same way with a lot of the blessings God is giving His people today. If you are asking for something from God, are you willing to fight for it and go after it with everything that is on the inside of you? Some blessings the Lord may drop into our lap, so to speak, but most require we go through the process to develop and strengthen ourselves to handle the blessing the Lord is going to pour out on us. The Lord is going to make sure we are capable enough to handle the blessing, or we will know why this blessing is not available to us. This is a great lesson for us all when it comes to receiving from the Lord or not receiving from the Lord. How important is it that we know what we are made of, what are limits are, and areas where we are stronger than we ever thought we could be? With God, our impossibilities become possible, and our limitations disappear.
When we choose to live in a constant state of disobedience, unbelief, unwillingness to fight, and distrust in the power of God, we shall not receive from God because we have NO faith in Him. Each and everyone will most likely have a wilderness experience with the Lord. Remember, the experience is meant to develop you and not to destroy you, to make you greater and not to make you retreat. In (Hebrews 11:6 ESV) 'And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.' When it comes to receiving from God, we must trust, believe, and have faith in Him to receive what He has for us. If our faith in Him is wavering, it says this in the book of (James 1:6-9 ESV) '6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.'
Extra Scripture To Study:
Deuteronomy 8
Hebrew 11
James 1, 2
Additional Information:
Closing Thoughts:
These are a few great scriptures to study and meditate on. We gain more understanding of God when we seek to know Him better. One of the easiest ways to learn wisdom is to learn it through the trials and experiences of others. Hopefully, we can learn from what was written in the past so we don't have to experience it personally. (Romans 15:4 ESV) 'For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.'
Challenge:
This week daily, take some time to pray and ask God for help regarding His word and become receptive to it. The next step is to act on His Word and continue to be the Son or Daughter He has called you to be.
Take Care Family,
Pastor Charles
©Copyright Charles R. Myles II 2022
Check Out The Book "Wounded Soul: Death Lived Inside Me" by Pastor Charles Myles
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