Testing of the Heart (Deuteronomy 8:1-20)
by Pastor Cesar Crisostomo | September 30, 2018
Deuteronomy 8:1-20(continued)
Determining truly the condition of our heart is vital. Is this heart a loving heart? Is it a troubled and bitter heart? Is it a lonely kind where you and I think nobody loves and cares for us? It is true that the circumstances we go through in life would reveal what the condition of our heart is really like. Yes, the only way to know is to test it. We like it or not, we will be tested one way or another. And the Lord uses everything that we encounter and face in life, everything that we go through to reveal to you and me what we really think, how we really feel and if we are going to trust Him and put Him first. Moses in the book of Deuteronomy uses the word “remember” and the phrase “don’t forget” numerous times. Don’t forget the Lord, don’t forget to observe His commands, remember what He has done and don’t forget His great love. As we go through the testing of our heart, let us examine and see if we could remember some things about the Lord’s goodness to us.
Committed to the ones He loves.
- God’s love is so wonderful that everything He does for you and I, everything that He allows in our lives is always for our good. The true love of God is shown through His commitment to see the best always fulfilled in us. God saw what was best for us in that He would send His Son. He knew there was no hope for us, no chance for us unless there is “salvation” that His Son would come and give His life, die and rise again for you and me. When we look in our heart, do we have to wonder if God loves you and me? Everything that God has done has been with you and me in mind. Every plan, you and I are included. No one has loved us quite like the Savior.
Applying this definition of love.
- Our love should be a personal commitment to see God’s best fulfilled in those we love as well. It is a commitment to love them in such a way that everything we do is having them in mind and to have God’s best in their lives fulfilled.
Committed to helping you and me.
- The Lord led the Israelites to the impossible. He brought them to impossible places, He brought them to battles they could not win, He brought them to places where He knew there was no remedy, He brought them to these types of circumstances so that He may show them that He alone is enough, that He is sufficient. Do I believe this in my own heart that He is committed to helping me? God is trying to convince us to never doubt again His commitment to help us because He loves us.
Concern about our future.
- Is the Lord concerned about our tomorrows? (v.5, Hebrews 12:6)
- If God loves you and I, then He will discipline us. Discipline is essential. The reason God disciplines you and I is because He loves us, and He is concerned about our future. It is God looking at the condition of our heart and life and He knows if He doesn’t deal with things in our heart that is unacceptable to Him, then He knows in time, it will ruin us and destroy our life. When He sees something in our heart that is unhealthy, He focuses on it and deals with it with our future in mind.
The many blessings of the Lord. (v.4, 7-18)
- Forget not all His benefits. He continues to bless.
Five simple things to decide on.
- Stop saying that God has given up on you. He has not, and He will never give up.
- Stop questioning God’s love for you. He has proven it on the cross.
- Stop trying to earn God’s favor. You and I can’t earn God’s favor. It is free.
- Remind in your heart of God’s love each day. If you don’t you will become callous or hard in your heart.
- Remember that no matter how much of God’s forgiveness and love you have received, He still has some more. So, if you have failed in your obedience to Him, then repent, asked Him for forgiveness and receive His love.
