In Your Heart

"And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt..." Acts 7: 39b
The heart. We know that out of it's abundance, the mouth speaks. We know we are to guard it diligently because out of our heart flows the issues of life. Our hearts are both wonderful and dangerous places.
I remember years back having my bible school teachers always say, "The heart of every issue is the issue of every heart" and I'm finding that to be more and more true.
I just recently came back from a trip to Southern Cali and upon my return, I've found that I have had an uneasy heart. Physically, I am in Sioux Falls, SD, but in my heart, I'm partly still there. I desire an undivided heart.
This is the problem, to some extent, that the Israelites had when they came out of Egypt. They turned away in their hearts from the Lord and the place He had them. They were in the wilderness; an undesirable, uncomfortable and unfamiliar land. They had spent 400 years in captivity and after coming through a great deliverance, they doubted God's continued guidance and in their hearts, left God.
So let's apply this to our lives. In what way have we been delivered? Has it been from an addiction? A lifestyle that reflects the world? Maybe anger or yelling profanities? Have you been delivered from thoughts that lead to depression, maybe even suicide? Do you find yourself going back? Are you in a place where you've been delivered, but, because you are experiencing a wilderness and God's next step has yet to be revealed to you, you are turning to the place you've been delivered from?
Let's learn from the children of Israel, the one's who bore the name of "Chosen By God", just as we do, to not turn back! Take up the shield of faith, breastplate of righteousness, belt of truth, helmet of Salvation, the shoes of the Gospel of peace and the sword of the Spirit and stand- endure patiently in the wilderness. God's plans will be revealed.
The reason I write is because I'm going through it. I need more than anything to not have a heart that turns back to Egypt. I need patience and faith, hope and love through it all. I need to stand when I all I want to do is quit. I'm desperate and unashamed to admit so. But just because I can't see, because I don't know what is ahead, I don't want that to make me long for what is behind.
"Now unto Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen." Jude 24 & 25
May God speak to your heart.
-Handmaiden of the Lord.