Day 5: The Exclusive Heart

We are not very different from the people of Israel, who often provoked God with their distractions and disobedience. Because of God's Seal on our hearts, we must be watchmen over our own souls and the constant chatter within us. We may think we are not idol worshipers like those who participate in demon cults because we do not bow down to idols made of wood or stone. But we have our own idols. Anything that fills and satisfies our hearts other than Jesus is an idol that hinders the full Glory of God in us. Anything we must have or depend on outside of God is an idol in our lives.

To place a Seal of Fire on our hearts, we must begin by recognizing God's Sovereignty in all areas. We may know that Jesus is Lord and hear of His Power but not fully acknowledge God in our hearts.

We are not called to just be people of faith but to be a people full of faith. It is faith that determines how much we know God and how much we honor Him. If we do not recognize His Sovereignty, we minimize His Power and blame God for abandoning us in times of trouble.

"If you can't see the sun, you will be amazed by the street lights. If you've never seen thunder and lightning, you'll be amazed by fireworks. And if you turn your back on the greatness and majesty of God, you will fall in love with the world of shadows and short-lived pleasures." (John Piper)

Giving a higher place in our hearts to something other than God minimizes the Power of God's Sovereignty and Authority over us. This first exalted place God requires. It belongs exclusively to Him because of the Seal of Love.

We want to control our lives and also control Jesus in us because we are afraid that He might make drastic changes in the way we lead our lives. Jesus must be the President of our life and not just a resident.

To place a Seal of Fire on our hearts is to hand over full ownership of our lives to God and His Love. Whoever loves the Bridegroom Jesus does not need explanations because they know He is the Wisest and most Sovereign Leader.

An exclusive heart for Jesus is evidence of maturity.

My Prayer:

Father, Lord of all Glory, may Your Name be hallowed this day. May my heart be exclusively Yours. May the priority of my intentions, motivations, and desires be to know what the Lord says and has planned for my life. Holy Spirit, reveal the idol altars I have set up in front of Jesus in my heart. May God forgive me for not acknowledging You in all things, for my disbelief in Your Sovereignty and Love, and for not seeking You first when I need solutions. May the Lord be the center and Seal of my heart, in the Name of Jesus, Amen.