Morning by Morning, December 13 - “Guard Your Heartland”
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I look to You and listen for Your leading -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...
As I lean into prayer, I keep thinking of the devastation of so many in the heartland of America, where tornadoes ripped through six states this weekend. The Governor of Kentucky said they suffered the most devastating tornado in its history, when one tore through the center of a town and bore down on the ground to destroy everything in its path for over two hundred miles.
I join in all the prayers for rescue of the survivors, for healing of the victims, and restoration from the trauma of all who’ve been touched by this tragedy.
Tornadoes and the destructive forces of nature are expressions of the catastrophes of our lives in a broken, fallen world, where creation itself cries out for redemption and restoration from “its bondage to decay” (Romans 8:19-21). In the ultimate sense, death and destruction of every form entered our world through sin (Romans 5:12); and all of creation is in desperate need of a Savior (Romans 5:17).
Sometimes the things that happen in our natural world get our attention and give us insight for the things that are happening in our spiritual world. First the natural, then then the spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:46).
When I think of these tornadoes, the word “heartland” comes to mind. And then the words “guard your heartland”, along with this Scripture from Proverbs:
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23 NLT).
Of course, we can’t “guard (our) heart” any more than we can guard our heartland out of our own power or wisdom or strength. In humility we must say we are desperately dependent upon You, for apart from You we can do nothing (John 15:5). So our part is to position ourselves in You and under Your hand of protection, as best as we can and all by Your grace. Our part is to seek to “live in the shelter of the Most High” and “abide in the shadow of the Almighty,” trusting in You as our “refuge” and “fortress” (Psalm 91:1-2).
Even then, we often endure the consequences of living in a broken and fallen world, where death and destruction have entered our world, but we endure them with You through whatever tragedy and suffering we face. Even then, we don’t have to fear, for we’re not alone. You’re with us through it all (Isaiah 43:1-7; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). You’re even at work through it all that none of that destruction and death will have the last word (Romans 8:28).
As a nation, may we “guard our heartland” by Your power and grace. In a sense, what happens in our heart as a nation “determines the course of (our) life” as a nation (Proverbs 4:23 NLT). And perhaps in a sense, one thing we can receive as an insight and sign for these times is that how we guard the hearts of those in our nation -- even the most vulnerable hearts of those created but not yet born from their mothers’ wombs -- determines the course of our life as a nation (Psalm 139:13).
While You come to bring life and not death (John 10:10), You will use whatever comes to speak words of spirit and life to us, not wasting any of our suffering (Romans 8:28). So maybe out of this devastation, one redemptive thing to come is a renewed calling to cry out for the redemption and restoration of creation and to guard our heartland -- to guard every heart in our land. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, I join with you in prayer for all those going through this tragedy in the heartland of America and also in prayer for the heart of America and every heart in America and all the nations of the earth, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
Tommy & Rocio Hays | Messiah Ministries
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Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
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