A Cure for Divided Hearts
Whenever we believe that we can love ourselves better than God does....
Hello friend,
A day of rest and gladness — Sunday. I’m reading through the OT and occasionally listening to the Bible Recap podcast alongside; today I jotted down: “God commands rest, reminding his people that we are recipients, not doers of our salvation. He has done the work. In response, we rest with trust in Christ and obedience to Him.”
Today I’m linking an article (see below) written for the February edition of TableTalk. It focuses on the battleground of our hearts — the single source of greatest resistance in knowing and loving God and enjoying him forever. Speaking for myself, but maybe it’s true for you too.
A Cure for Divided Hearts (click to read the entire article)
“Whenever we believe that we can love ourselves better than God can, we section off a piece of our lives with an unspoken “mine” to God. Solomon became a mighty king, full of wisdom and strength, but he began to look beyond God’s promises to satisfy his heart. It started with finding refuge in women rather than God. It led to idolatry, limited the reflection of God’s glory, and bore fruit in the devastating division of the kingdom.
It’s sobering that we can wear the helmet of salvation on our heads, have the robes of Christ’s righteousness covering us, and yet live in the shadows of compromise born from a divided heart. And while Christ’s salvation is so complete and sure that not even hell can shake it, a divided heart robs us of the peace, fruitfulness, and happiness that His salvation holds. It dims the purpose of our lives, neglects the glory of the cross, and stunts the goodness meant to flow from our lives to others.” (continued here…)
Much Love,
Kara
P.S. glimpses of life lately
some family time last Sunday at my sister’s house….
“The gospel is that I am so sinful that Jesus had to die for me, yet so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time. I can’t feel superior to anyone, and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone.” Tim Keller
I read "The Cure for Our Divided Hearts," in Tabletalk. It really spoke to me. Thank you!
I also read your article in Tabletalk. It brought to focus a real struggle in our lives. The sobering thought you conveyed struck me. What a precise picture of my life at times. As a parent to older children and grandchildren, I have a heavy heart to share what I know to be true. I am not rudely rejected nor ignored, just left in the air. That is where I must remember not to limit what the Lord can do and is doing in our lives. I do not want to dim the purpose of my life, neglect the glory of the cross and stunt the goodness meant to flow from my life to others. Thank you for sharing with us and allowing the Lord to use you in so many ways. Praying for you and your family.