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Keep vigilant watch over your heart, that’s where life starts. Proverbs 4:23 (MSG)

Several months ago when I was greatly disturbed regarding a matter that was close to me, I was spending time reading Proverbs, chapters 1, 2, 3 and onward. These words of Solomon were strong and straightforward, and spoke directly into the situation (toward the person) I was praying for. Praying these words of Solomon over this situation seemed an exact fit and was powerful. These words were so right… “seek wisdom,” “listen to good counsel,” “the ways of right-living people glow with light…but the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker.” I was able to enter into these warnings from Solomon as I struggled internally with the matter that so deeply concerned me. I could easily pray these warnings over this situation.

Then the focus of Solomon’s words changed direction and God pointed directly to ME! “Keep vigilant watch over YOUR heart, that’s where life starts.” I could pray Solomon’s advice and warnings over someone else, but I needed to watch my own heart, to guard my heart. This was an abrupt change in direction for my thoughts. This just jumped out at me! Okay, yes, God…help me to watch my heart! Help me to keep my heart soft and supple, keep me from judging others, keep me from feeling wiser (superior) than others, and keep me from building walls around my heart.

This is not easy to do…to keep a soft heart. I struggle with what this means and how to do this, but I desire to keep my heart and attitude soft, supple and tender even when I face disappointment, difficulties and pray over hard situations. “God help!  This is not something I can do by myself, I need your help, God!”

As we pray for our church, our community, our city and our families, remember to ask God to help us keep vigilant watch over OUR hearts!

So let us watch our hearts by:

• Thanking God for His desire to continually protect your heart from all kinds of harm and evil.
• Asking God to remind you of your need for His Spirit’s constant lead and guide as you navigate every aspect and relationship of the borrowed life He has given you with the awareness that “the heart is more deceitful than all else… (Jeremiah 17:9).”