the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart. 1 Kings 3:9. Unite my heart to fear thy name. Psalms 86:11. Incline not my heart to any evil thing. Psalms 141:4. And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord. Jeremiah 24:7.
He who in earnest and truth desires to be pious and happy, does not trust his own heart; for ’’the heart is deceitful above all things" (Jeremiah 17:9), and inclined to evil from youth up. Hence he prays for another heart. And God, who has promised to make "all things new," desires more than all else to renew and change the heart of men, because above all He requires a man’s heart and desires to take possession of it. He has invited Himself and promised to make His abode in your heart (John 14:23). But He cannot enter into an old, perverted heart, and remain therein. Therefore, He must first prepare your heart for Himself, just as a man makes his house ready before he moves into it. Let this inspire you with courage and strengthen your confidence: God is willing to grant your prayer for a new and obedient heart. His promise, "I will give it to you," is older than your prayer, ’’Give it to me. " More than two thousand years ago He has promised what you now pray for. Even before you asked it, He was ready to give it. Therefore, set about it in earnest and implore Him until you receive and feel a, new heart within you and the old heart can no more be found.
Holy Spirit, all divine,
Dwell within this heart of mine;
Cast down every idol throne.
Reign supreme, and reign alone.
