A Thought From the Word

"And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God." Psalm 78:8

The Lord was recalling through the Psalmist Asaph the backslidings of Israel. God had set them apart and blessed them like no other nation on earth. Yet, they had an infamous history of turning away from God. May we learn from and not repeat their grave mistakes.

The verse says that their heart was not set or prepared in the right way, and their spirit was not steadfast (enduring, firm) with God. How important is the condition of our hearts! We can put on a good front saying the right kinds of things, being seen doing the right things, and so forth. But, if our heart is not prepared before God, we should not be expected to continue faithful. Our hearts have to be tended to daily. It is the heart that needs to be watered by God's word and prayer. It is from the heart that confession of sin is made. It is from our hearts that we lay hold of the promises of God; it is our hearts that must desire the things of Christ more than the things of self.

If our heart is "set aright" then hopefully we will be steadfast with God. The Christian race is a long one, filled with highs and lows. But, may the desire and endeavor of all of us be to be found steadfast with God. Not in and out of the race, not half-way running, not acting as if we don't want to be in the race, but faithful and enduring to the crossing of the finish line!