A Divided Heart Keeps Us From His Heart….

You’ve read the proverb about guarding your heart, right? Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life (4:23). Why do you think Solomon wrote this? Why would he make guarding your heart such a priority? The answer can be found throughout scripture. Here in Exodus 28, we read of the design of the priest’s chestpiece. The stones that represented the twelve tribes were to be worn closest to his heart, as a reminder to Aaron that every time he entered the presence of the Lord it was these objects that would be used to determine the Lord’s will for his people. Knowing our place, in relation to God and people determines everything. It’s not losing sight of what’s important, and not allowing ourselves to get too busy, too distracted, too lazy, too comfortable, or too complacent that drives us away from what God wants from us. God wants our best, and a divided heart keeps us from His best. Jesus also said that whatever we treasure most reveals what’s in our heart, what we prioritize to the highest degree (Matt6:21). Our goal is to love God and love people. Part of that process is guarding our hearts, always holding God closest to our heart, thus revealing to ourselves where our priorities truly lie.

29 “In this way, Aaron will carry the names of the tribes of Israel on the sacred chestpiece over his heart when he goes into the Holy Place. This will be a continual reminder that he represents the people when he comes before the Lord. 30 Insert the Urim and Thummim into the sacred chestpiece so they will be carried over Aaron’s heart when he goes into the Lord’s presence. In this way, Aaron will always carry over his heart the objects used to determine the Lord’s will for His people whenever he goes in before the Lord. Exodus 28:29-30

23 Guard your heart above all else,for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23

21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21