Having a Strong Heart (Psalms 31:24)
"Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen
your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD"
From the physical side, most of us know the importance of a healthy heart. At the core of it, a strengthened heart will help sustain good health. This is not only true of the physical heart, but also the heart of the soul; meaning the core of your mind, will and emotions.We have to have a mind that will look to God’s word for direction; a will that will consider what it says before we act; and emotions that make us sensitive but won’t pull us away from God’s will just because of how we feel at that time.
But how do we affect these areas to strengthen our heart, which is our core, stability and resolve? Well, forget will power because it only works when it will. Positive thinking is cool but it is still limited to the natural realm. Some would say faith. But what do you mean? What kind of faith? Faith to sit in a chair without checking it first? Faith that your car will start in the morning? This faith is still a natural, carnally based, experiential, limited faith. But through Christ we have access to a living, empowerment that comes through the hearing of the word of God (Romans 10:17). For lack of a better term, the God-kind-of-faith in Christ receives God’s power, through the grace that He has already given us, and empowers our growth, overcoming and ability to stand. This super-naturally based faith takes promises off the pages and by God’s grace causes the manifestation in our lives. The word is still “becoming flesh and dwelling among us.” (John 1:14)
Psalms 31:24 says “Be of good courage, and He shall strength your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD” In this verse is a vital key to the strong heart, “Be of good courage…” People take courage to mean “strong” and “brave”, and it does but the word comes from a Hebrew word the just means, “Grasp” or “hold tightly”. So, then, hold tightly to what? Again, dear readers, This God-kind-of-faith. So “Be of good courage” could simply translate to, “hold to your faith”. Hold tightly. Don’t let your stance slip because when courage slips it turns to dis-courage. Discouragement is leaking courage. I get this picture of a bucket of water with a dripping hole at the bottom. A good example of this can be found in Matt. 14, with this account of Peter walking on the water. Here he is walking on the water coming to Jesus and when the wind, waves and storm arise, the scripture says that Peter “began to sink” and he called on the Lord to save him (Matt 14:30). Hmm…. He began to sink? I have jumped into many pools and I have never began to sink. It’s just “Ker-Sploosh!” I can picture this slow, sinking, descent of Peter into the waters as this Lord reaches for Him.
So, it’s possible that we can start in faith and courage but little by little through the cares of life and the pressure of circumstances and the weakness of our own flesh that we slowly leak courage. The remedy is putting ourselves under the hearing of the word because, again, faith comes by hearing.” So if faith leaking causes discouragement, then faith coming in can cause encouragement (or in-couragement).
In times of trouble, I hear many rehearse Ephesians 3:20 and say, “God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” and they stop there. Sorry, but this statement is incomplete and does not paint the right picture without the last phrase which reads “according to the power that worketh in us.” Yes, God is able, but He does it according to a power working in us: this same God-kind-of-faith. May this power work mightily in you. May all of your needs be supplied for His Glory. May He be glorified in your living and lifestyle. May your heart stay strong that you may stand and overcome all opposition. Know that the true God is loving and compassionate. He guides and convicts with a tender hand. He will lead to Yasha.
your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD"
From the physical side, most of us know the importance of a healthy heart. At the core of it, a strengthened heart will help sustain good health. This is not only true of the physical heart, but also the heart of the soul; meaning the core of your mind, will and emotions.We have to have a mind that will look to God’s word for direction; a will that will consider what it says before we act; and emotions that make us sensitive but won’t pull us away from God’s will just because of how we feel at that time.
But how do we affect these areas to strengthen our heart, which is our core, stability and resolve? Well, forget will power because it only works when it will. Positive thinking is cool but it is still limited to the natural realm. Some would say faith. But what do you mean? What kind of faith? Faith to sit in a chair without checking it first? Faith that your car will start in the morning? This faith is still a natural, carnally based, experiential, limited faith. But through Christ we have access to a living, empowerment that comes through the hearing of the word of God (Romans 10:17). For lack of a better term, the God-kind-of-faith in Christ receives God’s power, through the grace that He has already given us, and empowers our growth, overcoming and ability to stand. This super-naturally based faith takes promises off the pages and by God’s grace causes the manifestation in our lives. The word is still “becoming flesh and dwelling among us.” (John 1:14)
Psalms 31:24 says “Be of good courage, and He shall strength your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD” In this verse is a vital key to the strong heart, “Be of good courage…” People take courage to mean “strong” and “brave”, and it does but the word comes from a Hebrew word the just means, “Grasp” or “hold tightly”. So, then, hold tightly to what? Again, dear readers, This God-kind-of-faith. So “Be of good courage” could simply translate to, “hold to your faith”. Hold tightly. Don’t let your stance slip because when courage slips it turns to dis-courage. Discouragement is leaking courage. I get this picture of a bucket of water with a dripping hole at the bottom. A good example of this can be found in Matt. 14, with this account of Peter walking on the water. Here he is walking on the water coming to Jesus and when the wind, waves and storm arise, the scripture says that Peter “began to sink” and he called on the Lord to save him (Matt 14:30). Hmm…. He began to sink? I have jumped into many pools and I have never began to sink. It’s just “Ker-Sploosh!” I can picture this slow, sinking, descent of Peter into the waters as this Lord reaches for Him.
So, it’s possible that we can start in faith and courage but little by little through the cares of life and the pressure of circumstances and the weakness of our own flesh that we slowly leak courage. The remedy is putting ourselves under the hearing of the word because, again, faith comes by hearing.” So if faith leaking causes discouragement, then faith coming in can cause encouragement (or in-couragement).
In times of trouble, I hear many rehearse Ephesians 3:20 and say, “God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” and they stop there. Sorry, but this statement is incomplete and does not paint the right picture without the last phrase which reads “according to the power that worketh in us.” Yes, God is able, but He does it according to a power working in us: this same God-kind-of-faith. May this power work mightily in you. May all of your needs be supplied for His Glory. May He be glorified in your living and lifestyle. May your heart stay strong that you may stand and overcome all opposition. Know that the true God is loving and compassionate. He guides and convicts with a tender hand. He will lead to Yasha.
