The heart of the matter!

What is one of the toughest thing to do?? For me, it is biting my tongue....Ouch!!Yeah! I'm talking about the taming of our tongues!! My tongue is a dangerous piece of muscle lying in my mouth, capable of extensive activity. This activity brings more disaster than good!

My biggest activity is talking....words, words words!!!!!! And guess what?? My words are a clear and strong indicator of the condition of my heart!! :(

"For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34b.

So, in order to control my tongue, I need to understand the workings of my heart! Ok...The root cause is my heart!! Gotcha...

What does God's word have to say about the human heart?
"The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9 (Emphasis mine)
Whoa! That's a terrible verdict, a fairly bad diagnosis. But, take a look what it says further.......
"I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways according to the fruit of his deeds." verse 10

Only God knows and completely understands the workings of our sinful hearts!!

This was psalmist's genuine heart cry to God who sees it all!
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!"Psalm 139:23-24

One of the best ways to keep a diligent watch on our deceptive hearts is by obeying and continuously delighting in God's word alone!!
"Moreover, by them is your servant warned, in keeping them there is great reward." Psalm 19:11

Therefore, we can humbly ask Jesus Our LORD and Savior and seek His divine help in the taming of our vile tongues.
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. " Psalm 19:14

The goodness of God!

I have realized that it is good to pray. It is good to draw near to God. To experience His faithfulness in all things and be reminded that it is He who answers prayers! He is good and all His ways are good. To enjoy the benefits of seeking Him as our all in all. He is the true joy giver!

Jesus truly says in John 10:10b:
"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

" God is my helper and the upholder of my life." Psalm 54:4. He is my refuge and my strong deliverer.

"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" Psalm 34:8

Yes!! "It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;" Psalm 92:1

Who are you, O man, to talk back to God?

(Thomas Watson, "Body of Divinity")

"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy." Romans 9:15-16

God has a sovereign right and authority over man. He can do with His creatures as He pleases. Who shall dispute with God? Who shall ask Him a reason of His doings? "Who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to him who formed it—Why did you make me like this?" Romans 9:20

"Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases." Psalm 115:3

"The Lord does whatever He pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the depths." Psalm 135:6

God sits as judge in the highest court, and is not bound to give a reason for His proceedings. "He puts down one, and raises up another." He has salvation and damnation in His power. He has the key of justice in His hand, to lock up whomever He will, in the fiery prison of hell!

And He has the key of mercy in His hand, to open heaven's gate to whomever He pleases! The name engraved upon His vesture is, "King of kings, and Lord of lords!" He sits Lord paramount, and who can call Him to account? The world is God's house, and shall not He do what He desires in His own house?

"My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please!" Isaiah 46:10

"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!" Revelation 19:6