“And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold.” Isaiah 63:5
Dear Ones:
There is no doubt that in the economy of God, He IS His own means and way. This is why the Lord Jesus said: “I AM the way…” (Jn. 14:6) It is also why the Lord would address Zerubbabel through Zechariah, in regard to the rebuilding of the temple, “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ saith the Lord.” (Zech. 4:6) And yet, His way and means is also by the hands of, and through the heart of man, the believing man or woman. In a most remarkable statement, the Apostle Paul, declares that we are co-laborers with God. (2 Cor. 6:1) Throughout the testimony of Scripture, we find again and again, that the Lord, who looks at the heart, seeks the one whose heart is perfect towards Him. (2 Chron. 16:9) Why? It is because He has chosen man, who is at the pinnacle of His creation, created in the image of God, to reveal His glory to the highest and most elevated point. This is what He did in Christ, who was the “…brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person.” (Heb. 1:2) Therefore, though sinful man needs to be saved from himself and his “ways,” yet God has chosen to reveal the beauty and greatness of His mercy and grace in the life of such. He does this always in accordance with His purpose. In our day, that purpose is the salvation of men, and the establishment of His kingdom in the heart. The question then arises: “Can He find such men and women?” Can He find such as have a perfect heart towards Him, through which He can work to save, and to glorify His name in this earth, as it is in heaven?
Perhaps we need to ask the question: “What is a perfect heart?” The answer to the question is most certainly NOT found by looking at the outer appearance of someone. This was the error that Samuel would have committed, had he not trusted the Lord to show him the one whom God had chosen among the sons of Jesse to be king. When we look at Joseph, standing before Pharoah, we find that he responds to Pharoah’s request to know the meaning of two dreams that he had. Joseph, a man of great gifts and capacities, would say to Pharoah two things of great significance. First, he would declare to him, “It is NOT in me.” And then secondly, he would say, “God will give to Pharoah an answer of peace.” Here is a man who is broken, his trust broken in himself, but one whose whole hope and certain expectation is in God. The Lord, through Isaiah said this: “But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word.” (Is, 66:2) Here is the perfect heart. Can God find one? And more particularly, can He find one at this hour, through whom HE can work mightily and wonderfully, to save?
Dear Father, blessed God who has chosen to reveal Thyself in the greatest possible measure to fallen men, create in us perfect hearts through which You can work wonderfully. Give us to be certain that in and of ourselves, we can do nothing, but at the same time, seeing and believing that You can do anything, great or small. You are ever looking for the heart that will truly trust and obey You. Please give us such hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad