God Desires Your Heart

Give me your heart, my son,

And let your eyes delight in my ways.

Proverbs 23:26 (NASB)

Jude was the family’s beloved child. Among his siblings, he embodied kindness and courtesy. He never questioned his parents' requests; he obeyed without argument. However, during his teenage years, he began to rebel and disobey. He constantly quarreled with his siblings. In his eyes, no one could understand him. He rejected all advice and correction. He was always right; others were always wrong.

Exasperated by his negative attitude and excessive arrogance, his father decided to set him back on the right path. At first, he approached him with love and compassion. But when his son tried to ignore him and reject his love, he changed his approach and disciplined him severely. This is what happens to most of us. We forget that we serve a faithful God who watches over us. We abandon His path to live the life that pleases us. In His love, He disciplines us without harming us. But if we persist in living in sin and turning away from Him, He will use trials to correct us.

The only way to please God and avoid His chastisement is to give Him our heart—which means living according to His will and remaining in His ways. This is not an easy decision, for obstacles will always hinder our progress; however, if our heart belongs entirely to Him, we will turn to the Holy Spirit to guide us and reveal God's heart to us. Do not stray from God's Word, for in doing so, you also turn away from Him. God loves you so much that He comes to you with calmness, love, and tenderness. But if you rebel against Him, He will use a firmer hand. God wants all of you; do not resist Him. Open your heart wide to Him.

May the grace and peace of God be with you.