Monday, December 23, 2013

"Heart First"


     The Bible begins, significantly, with a declarative rather than an explanatory statement of truth.

    "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).

     More than 31,000 verses follow Genesis 1:1, many of which do a great deal of explaining.  Verse 1, of chapter 1, of Book 1, however, simply proclaims a truth to be accepted and believed.  This tells us much about God, ourselves, and the life to which He calls us both presently, and forever.  Indeed, it tells us that He is God, and we are not.

    "Thou art God alone" (Psalm 86:10).

     It is a wonderful thing to live in the reality of God as God.  Such truth places us in the proper position of dependence rather than independence, of trusting in Another rather than self-confidence, and of "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).  Such grace provides "the light of life" to all who believe (John 8:12).  We cease the banging of our hearts and heads against the walls of God's universe, recognizing the insanity of believing we can successfully control our own destiny.  We cannot - "he that trusteth in his own heart is a fool" - and the sooner we bow to the centrality and power of "Thou art God alone," the sooner the peace of Truth will grace our hearts with rest (Proverbs 28:26).

    Such truth begins not with explanation, but with declaration.  Much light shines forth from the first verse of Scripture, wherein the Creator proclaims His masterpiece of Divine creativity, technology, and art.  Our proper initial response presses us to bow our hearts in consecration rather than scratch our heads in curiosity.  Subsequently, the Lord will explain much to us as the proper order of heart first, then head, sets things in order.  Yes, God is God, and we are not.  This "light of life" fills and fulfills our hearts as we are rejoice in the peace of acknowledging the Who and What of our Maker, and the who not and what not of ourselves.

"
Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside Me there is no God."
(Isaiah 44:6)
"Put them in fear, o Lord, that the nations may know themselves to be but men."
(Psalm 9:20)

Weekly Memory Verse   
   
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which, being interpreted, is God with us."
(Matthew 1:23)
   

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