WHAT DOES GOD ESTEEM IN US

 

 

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. (Psalm 33:18-19)

 

Why should the protective and loving “eye of the Lord” be upon those who fear and hope in Him? Shouldn’t His mercy instead be upon the righteous and those who are loving others, those who are deserving?

 

Instead, the Lord looks upon the heart, the inner man. He looks upon the one who has despaired of himself, for whom the only hope is the Lord. But why? If the heart is fixed upon God, then everything else will ultimately fall into place:

 

·       Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. (Psalm 37:4-5)

 

If we are plugged into God by trusting Him, then He is plugged into us to provide for those who value Him above all else. If Jesus is our treasure, then we are His treasure. But why? Our heart’s desire escorts us either into the Light and Truth of God or into the darkness (John 3:19-20).

 

If our heart is rightly focused, then too the rest of our lives. If our heart is fixed on Him as our ultimate treasure, then He will treasure and provide for us:

 

·       “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’…But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31, 33)

 

If God is not our ultimate treasure, and we treasure instead our confidence that we are good, loving, and deserving, then we have deceived ourselves and have hardened our hearts against the truth, which has been knocking at our door. Therefore, Jesus warned that we will get what our heart desires:

 

·       “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” (Matthew 6:5)

 

Ultimately, we get what we want. Therefore, we are instructed to:

 

·       Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

 

When our heart is set on autopilot for His abode, we are sure to arrive at our appointed destination.