“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

The book of Proverbs has been attributed to the writings of King Solomon. They are instructions in wisdom to a son from a wise father. The principal thought is to seek, understand and follow the wisdom of God.

The natural man will always gravitate to the propensity to sin. However, the book of Proverbs 4:23 admonishes us to “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”  The idea is to guard our thoughts, actions and innermost feelings from those things that will lead us towards evil and selfish desires. The heart in the scripture symbolizes the seat of all inner thoughts and feelings; it has the capability of producing thoughts and actions that we dwell on whether positive or negative.

The book of Proverbs is written in the Old Testament and takes in consideration the Mosaic Law. The Law was given to instruct man in values for living a life that exhibited pure and moral standing with God and others. But alone man could never satisfy the demands of the law. So, our scripture lesson today seems to be an impossible feat . . . how can we keep our heart if we do not truly have the power to really secure it?

A good analogy could be made of living in a fortress and having it guarded day and night. However, the chief guard is suspect and do not have the man of the house at his best interest. The result is thieves and murderers having the ability to enter in at any time to overtake the good man of the house. The old guard and enemy is synonymous to Satan and his demonic forces, the culprits that leads us into sin and destruction, they must be removed and replaced with the Chief guard and lover of our souls, Jesus Christ our Lord!

The precious contents of our lives are found in the heart and must still be kept with all diligence today. God’s amazing grace comes to our rescue! 1 Peter 1:5 states “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” God is the divine keeper of our hearts and souls. He provides the power that we need to “keep our hearts in all diligence.” Wherein the Law commanded, the Gospel provides freedom and the power to obey.

If we are to succeed in keeping our hearts in check, we must be kept by the Great Shepherd of the sheep. Psalm 121:5 states “The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.” He is the divine keeper and lover of our souls. We have been graciously given the Holy Spirit who empowers us to make decisions that helps us to walk this journey of life in fellowship with God and our fellowman, let us faithfully follow where He leads.

The Word of God is faithful and true, and the Lord has promised to never leave us or forsake us and for that we can give Him all the glory! “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25.

Praise God for His amazing grace today and forevermore!