Enlarged Hearts
Today’s Verse:
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. ~Psalm 119:32
Recently, a missionary that we support indicated that she was diagnosed with an enlarged heart. This condition led to several other life-threatening health developments. Mayo Clinic says the following about an enlarged heart: “An enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) isn’t a disease, but rather a sign of another condition. The term ‘cardiomegaly’ refers to an enlarged heart seen on any imaging test, including a chest X-ray. Other tests are then needed to diagnose the condition causing your enlarged heart. You may develop an enlarged heart temporarily because of a stress on your body, such as pregnancy, or because of a medical condition, such as the weakening of the heart muscle, coronary artery disease, heart valve problems or abnormal heart rhythms. Certain conditions may cause the heart muscle to thicken or one of the chambers of the heart to dilate, making the heart larger. Depending on the condition, an enlarged heart may be temporary or permanent.” From a medical standpoint, an enlarged heart needs immediate treatment. However, spiritually speaking, an enlarged heart speaks of an increased capacity for God and His work.
We need an enlarged heart for the Word.
“I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart” (Ps. 119:32). Ps. 119 is the Word of God psalm. It is the longest psalm and chapter in the Bible. The theme is the Word of God. In vv. 25-32, we see a man who hungers for God’s Word. His entire dependence is on God’s Word. He asks God to quicken, strengthen, teach, and help him to understand God’s Word. He makes a declaration that he has chosen the way of truth, he has stuck to God’s testimonies, and he will run the way of God’s commandments. His heart is enlarged for God’s Word! “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts” (Jer. 15:16).
We need an enlarged heart for the work.
“O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged” (2 Cor. 6:11). Paul had a great desire in his heart to serve the Corinthian believers and their church. Paul started this church with much labor. He stayed there for 18 months in helping to establish it in the Word and growth. However, after Paul had been away, the culture of Corinth and the battle with sin corrupted this church. This church needed a lot of correction to get it back on track. Paul poured his heart to them in trying to set them in the right path. God’s people need an enlarged heart for the work. We must desire to do more and not less. We must bring those who have fallen out back to church. We must exceed last year’s production and win more souls. Nehemiah said that the “work is great.” Let us have an enlarged heart for the work.
We need an enlarged heart for our witness.
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Rom. 10:1). Paul was God’s missionary to the Gentile world. It could be that he saw more Gentiles saved than Jews during his ministry. However, he was a Jew at heart, and it bothered him that more Jews were not getting saved. His prayer and heart’s desire was that all of Israel would be saved! His enlarged heart for Jews was to preach in more synagogues, send more laborers, and reach the Jews everywhere. If we are not careful, witnessing will become a routine instead of a responsibility. It could become a business when it needs to be a burden. We need an enlarged heart for our witness.
An enlarged heart is an increased capacity for God and His work. God will enlarge our hearts when we conform to His commandments and perfect will.
Have an enlarged God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Judges 10-12