The One Who Knows The Heart

For more information about Tuesdays Together in The Word or to join us on the journey, please visit DeeDee's blog.

So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. ~ Acts 15:8-9

This verse reminds me of another verse when God chose an unlikely shepherd boy to be a king over His people. As Samuel was sent to anoint God's chosen one, he was surprised when the older brothers of David were passed over and God said to him, `"Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." ~ I Samuel 16:7

The Lord looks at the heart. He is not concerned with our status, our physical appearance, our position, our title. He is not concerned with our race, our nationality, whether we are Jewish or Gentile. He looks at our hearts. He sees us, knows us, every inch of our thoughts and dreams, our weaknesses, our brokenness, our gifts, our desires, our longings, our sorrows, our regrets, our victories, our failures. He sees it all. He is interested in a heart that's been purified by faith in Jesus...not anything else that this world will tell you makes you worthy of love, value, and acceptance. He just wants a heart that says, "I am willing to trust you. I believe you. I will follow you."

Back to Acts 15:8-9...The "God who knows the heart" then "acknowledges them by giving them the Holy Spirit". The Holy Spirit is talked about throughout Acts and we see the important role of the Holy Spirit in our lives emphasized many times throughout the New Testament from the time it was first received by the church in the beginning of Acts.

...they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. ~ Acts 16:6b

When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem... ~ Acts:21a

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things. ~ Acts:15:28

How did they know what the Holy Spirit was saying to them? How could they be certain that it was a message from the Lord? Two things: prayer and God's Word. Acts 12:5 ~ Peter was therefore in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And what happened? But the word of God grew and multiplied. ~Acts 12:24 And, as they continued in prayer, seeking the Holy Spirit for guidance, and studying and preaching the word of God...what happened? So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. ~ Acts 16:5 And again...what was happening as these men remained faithful to following His call? So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. ~ Acts 19:20

As a mom, sometimes I wonder if anything I do is really making a difference. Will my children choose to follow the Lord? Will the seeds we've planted take root or will they be swept away by the cares of this world? As a friend, I wonder if I show the love of Jesus to those around me? Is my light shining, or is it hidden beneath the pile of my weaknesses? As a wife, do I help my husband be the best he can be or am I a hindrance to his walk? As a servant in ministry, is my heart right? Could I do more, give more, pray more?

Sometimes, like Paul, I feel locked in a prison of my own making...kept from moving forward to complete freedom...kept from being all I can be. I want to shake loose from the chains, see the walls of my prison broken down. I want to be free to follow Him with all of my heart. I smile at the image of Paul and Silas in prison, "praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." They were singing praise to God, while they were still in the prison. They were not free from circumstances. Yet, they were free...even while they were bound. The circumstances held no power over them.

God sends the earthquake. The walls from the prison come tumbling down. The guards see and are afraid. One says, "Sirs what must I do to be saved?" So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Acts 19:30-31They tell the prison guard about Jesus and go have a celebratory dinner with the guard and his newly saved family! (See Acts 16:25-40)

This simple "formula" from the early church encourages me to persevere. Through prayer, relying on the Holy Spirit, and the word of God...His work will be accomplished. We can keep on keeping on in obedience to His calling. Like Paul and Silas, we don't have to wait for perfect circumstances to praise our God...to walk as one who is complete and free as we sing and tell of His glory. Right where we are, we can praise the One who knows our hearts, and He will lead us to freedom. He will knock down our prison walls in His time. Until then, He will comfort and guide us with His Holy Spirit, as we seek Him through prayer, and study His perfect word.