I have found David the son of Jesse, a man according to my heart who does all that I will.*
We can equate obedience to doing the will of God. If we look at the early life of David, God is preparing his heart, which is a matter of trusting in God or that when we trust we find over and over again that God is faithful and trustworthy. This is how Abraham did not turn back because of unbelief but was strengthened in faith, he becoming fully convinced that what God promises he will surely do. Was David always obedient? No. I believe obedience is a fruit of a devoted heart, a heart after God, not the other way around. The older son in the story of the Prodigal Son was outwardly obedient but did not do the will of the Father, in that he did not love his brother who came to his senses returning home. A man after God's own heart speaks of one after God's heart, or one that is after or seeks after, or one that is devoted to God. Why would one be obedient or seek after someone without any devotion? A heart devoted to God will produce fruit of obedience. I am convince the issue of obedience is related to devotion of the heart.
The lamp of the body is the eye... for he will either hate the one and love the other either he will be devoted to one and despise the other, not serving God and devoted to earthly riches...*
The word for devoted means I hold out against, hold firmly to, cleave to. It is from "instead of" and "have, hold, possess" which means to lay hold of, to that which "holds on to," in a way that matches the object grasped. We can equate devotion to what our heart is set on. In context of this verse what our heart is on, or the treasure of our heart, is what we set our eyes on or what our mind or focus is one. Devotion of the heart is related to the eye and mind thus it is a telling sign of what we are devoted to which is also what we see as treasure. The kingdom of God is like a man who finds a treasure in a field who immediately sells all he has to possess this field and treasure.
not that we have obtained, neither reached perfection, but I press on so as to and to lay hold upon that which Christ Jesus laid hold of me.*
It is amazing truth that Christ laid hold of us, and he is faithful to see such true or he would have never laid hold of us to begin with. This is what Paul means when he says Christ laid hold of us, and we are to lay hold of that which is given to us, to that which we already have in Christ though we strive to possess it in this life, we press on to this goal in Christ. Webster dictionary defines being devoted as that characterized by loyalty and devotion which is intense feeling or expression for something, fidelity or faithfulness to natural obligations (as to parents) or to God. Some synonyms for devoted are constant, dedicated, devout, faithful, loyal, pious, steadfast, steady, true. And some antonyms are disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, unfaithful, untrue. Truly the heart is key to devotion, thus the phrase "win the heart" means to gain the love, affection, or admiration of someone. Truly, our heavenly Father goes to great measures to win our heart.
... he will be devoted to one and despise the other...*
The key to devotion is to win the heart of someone, thus this verse is speaking about devotion and in context it is where our heart. The verse is getting to the heart of the matter or what really is important for devotion. The principle exists that God judges the heart, therefore He is more concerned with inward change and devotion of the heart than with outward appearances. Of course the principle also exists that inward change brings about outward change, in time. The difference in human wisdom and God's is that we tend to put much effort on changing external behavior without getting to the heart of the matter. Therefore we tend to focus on a type of "absolute obedience" that is without understanding, without any concerns in regards to the devotion of the heart, therefore we destroy that most important, trust and devotion. Our heavenly Father goes to great extents to develop trust, trust is key to faith and devotion of our heart, thus David was a man of great faith. In the parable of sowing those who endure have understanding, deep roots, and these bear fruit, thus a fruit comes from a root. Obedience is a fruit from good roots or a devoted heart. Truly, as Jesus said, a good tree produces good fruit.* And a good tree that has been established, a tree that bears fruit needs pruning to bear more fruit.* Devotion, which comes from what we treasure in our heart, is key to bearing fruit, so the issue of a heart devoted to God is important.
For where your treasure exists, in that place your heart exists also.*
It is wrong to expect a tree to bear fruit, without having put much effort into the conditioning of the soil or watering. In this way some expect obedience, fruit, without much effort. But if you just throw the seed on the ground, you are going to lose much of the seed, but this is the method of some expending great expense in spreading seed without little conditioning of the soil or watering. Once there is germination, which is also called metamorphosis, when tender plant shoots come forth, there is further effort needed, in watering, providing nutrients, and sunlight needed for the plant to endure. Also there is further effort needed so the plants endure the weeds to bear fruit which is very dependent on deep roots. In early growth how can one distinguish a plant from a weed? God judges the heart, he knows and he doesn't focus on fruit at this stage, no, he is working on devotion of the heart, conditioning that makes the soil good. Good soil and deep roots lead to devotion and to enduring the weeds. The fruit of obedience is produced through endurance and the condition for endurance is related to deep roots which can be said as the focus of our heart, or what our heart is devoted to. So to be obedient is to be devoted to God, or to have a heart after God's own heart.
he will be devoted to one and despise the other, not serving God and devoted to earthly riches...*
We can equate obedience to doing the will of God. If we look at the early life of David, God is preparing his heart, which is a matter of trusting in God or that when we trust we find over and over again that God is faithful and trustworthy. This is how Abraham did not turn back because of unbelief but was strengthened in faith, he becoming fully convinced that what God promises he will surely do. Was David always obedient? No. I believe obedience is a fruit of a devoted heart, a heart after God, not the other way around. The older son in the story of the Prodigal Son was outwardly obedient but did not do the will of the Father, in that he did not love his brother who came to his senses returning home. A man after God's own heart speaks of one after God's heart, or one that is after or seeks after, or one that is devoted to God. Why would one be obedient or seek after someone without any devotion? A heart devoted to God will produce fruit of obedience. I am convince the issue of obedience is related to devotion of the heart.
The lamp of the body is the eye... for he will either hate the one and love the other either he will be devoted to one and despise the other, not serving God and devoted to earthly riches...*
The word for devoted means I hold out against, hold firmly to, cleave to. It is from "instead of" and "have, hold, possess" which means to lay hold of, to that which "holds on to," in a way that matches the object grasped. We can equate devotion to what our heart is set on. In context of this verse what our heart is on, or the treasure of our heart, is what we set our eyes on or what our mind or focus is one. Devotion of the heart is related to the eye and mind thus it is a telling sign of what we are devoted to which is also what we see as treasure. The kingdom of God is like a man who finds a treasure in a field who immediately sells all he has to possess this field and treasure.
not that we have obtained, neither reached perfection, but I press on so as to and to lay hold upon that which Christ Jesus laid hold of me.*
It is amazing truth that Christ laid hold of us, and he is faithful to see such true or he would have never laid hold of us to begin with. This is what Paul means when he says Christ laid hold of us, and we are to lay hold of that which is given to us, to that which we already have in Christ though we strive to possess it in this life, we press on to this goal in Christ. Webster dictionary defines being devoted as that characterized by loyalty and devotion which is intense feeling or expression for something, fidelity or faithfulness to natural obligations (as to parents) or to God. Some synonyms for devoted are constant, dedicated, devout, faithful, loyal, pious, steadfast, steady, true. And some antonyms are disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, unfaithful, untrue. Truly the heart is key to devotion, thus the phrase "win the heart" means to gain the love, affection, or admiration of someone. Truly, our heavenly Father goes to great measures to win our heart.
... he will be devoted to one and despise the other...*
The key to devotion is to win the heart of someone, thus this verse is speaking about devotion and in context it is where our heart. The verse is getting to the heart of the matter or what really is important for devotion. The principle exists that God judges the heart, therefore He is more concerned with inward change and devotion of the heart than with outward appearances. Of course the principle also exists that inward change brings about outward change, in time. The difference in human wisdom and God's is that we tend to put much effort on changing external behavior without getting to the heart of the matter. Therefore we tend to focus on a type of "absolute obedience" that is without understanding, without any concerns in regards to the devotion of the heart, therefore we destroy that most important, trust and devotion. Our heavenly Father goes to great extents to develop trust, trust is key to faith and devotion of our heart, thus David was a man of great faith. In the parable of sowing those who endure have understanding, deep roots, and these bear fruit, thus a fruit comes from a root. Obedience is a fruit from good roots or a devoted heart. Truly, as Jesus said, a good tree produces good fruit.* And a good tree that has been established, a tree that bears fruit needs pruning to bear more fruit.* Devotion, which comes from what we treasure in our heart, is key to bearing fruit, so the issue of a heart devoted to God is important.
For where your treasure exists, in that place your heart exists also.*
It is wrong to expect a tree to bear fruit, without having put much effort into the conditioning of the soil or watering. In this way some expect obedience, fruit, without much effort. But if you just throw the seed on the ground, you are going to lose much of the seed, but this is the method of some expending great expense in spreading seed without little conditioning of the soil or watering. Once there is germination, which is also called metamorphosis, when tender plant shoots come forth, there is further effort needed, in watering, providing nutrients, and sunlight needed for the plant to endure. Also there is further effort needed so the plants endure the weeds to bear fruit which is very dependent on deep roots. In early growth how can one distinguish a plant from a weed? God judges the heart, he knows and he doesn't focus on fruit at this stage, no, he is working on devotion of the heart, conditioning that makes the soil good. Good soil and deep roots lead to devotion and to enduring the weeds. The fruit of obedience is produced through endurance and the condition for endurance is related to deep roots which can be said as the focus of our heart, or what our heart is devoted to. So to be obedient is to be devoted to God, or to have a heart after God's own heart.
he will be devoted to one and despise the other, not serving God and devoted to earthly riches...*
One will serve whom he is devoted to, and Jesus said you can't serve God and earthly riches(mamónas.) This word J. Thayer writes is a term most likely related to a Hebrew word meaning "to trust" thus it refers to putting trust in riches, money, possessions, property or in general putting trust in earthly things. Devotion to God requires our hearts to be set on the spiritual or the heavenlies. Contrary to some because you go to Church, give and tithe, and serve this doesn't mean you have a heart devoted to God. Often the most sinful are those in the Church who look down on others as if they are justified before God by their good works. Living to the "letter of the law" is another form of living in the flesh, or trusting in the flesh. The Law had no power in perfecting men into obedience in fact sin abounded under the Law. Just look at the grossly high prison population and the now heroin epidemic in this country and can we honestly say the war on drugs worked? We can say the fear of punishment doesn't create change though it might produce external obedience or that often called "jailhouse religion." What is needed is to win the heart.
yea, lay up stores of riches, your treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.*
In the new covenant there is a dispensation of grace, in order that we trust in God and do not put confidence or trust in the flesh. Certainly devotion speaks of where the heart is. I would go even further saying earthly riches(mamónas) means being "devoted to earthly riches" or even being "devoted to the flesh" which is to have trust or confidence in things of this world, not God. This makes since as Jesus used the word devoted in context of this saying, "he will be devoted to one and despise the other," meaning you can't be devoted to earthly riches and God at the same time. So we see that whatever we put our trust in is what we will be devoted to and whatever we are devoted to is what we put our trust in, this is our treasure. The concept that where out treasure is that place in which our heart is devoted to. Also in context the eye is the lamp of the body, the body also called the flesh, so if we are focused on the fleshly in this place our treasure is. The key to obedience or ruling over evil and the flesh is a heart devoted. Patriotism can be seen as the heart of a country devoted.
For where your treasure exists, there in that place your heart exists also, in that place. The lamp of the body exists the eye, if your eye exists healthy, your whole body exists filled with Light.*
The focus of these scriptures is where we put our heart. We defeat those devoted to earthly riches who try to pass it off as godly stewardship in that their efficiency disregards caring for the poor. Or that which the scriptures say to leave to the poor they would gather in the name of good stewardship.* They serve for personal gain, not for the gain of Christ. Paul writes in Ephesians that from God's riches come "spiritual" blessings, they are not earthly, not of things of this earth. If we do not have an understanding at your core, as to what the difference is between what is earthly and heavenly then how can we have devotion to God and heavenly things? They are two different things. Of course I am speaking to believers in whom God has put his Spirit and given a new heart, if there is a problem of the heart, if the heart is focused on earthly treasures then the issue is of the eyes, or what we have our eyes focused on. Where our eyes are focused this is our treasure, and in this place is our heart. This is good news because if we place, fix our eyes on Jesus our faith increases and we lose sight of the things of this world including the rule of sin in the flesh.
that one plants, now, that one waters, existing one, now, each receives his wage according to his own difficulty.*
It is difficult to enter the kingdom of God Jesus said. And in the kingdom of God is the one watering greater than the one planting? No. If the one watering is not greater than the one planting then the one planting the seed is not greater than the one watering. Thus the one spreading the good news is no greater than the one teaching. Most telling in what they have our eyes on, is it for personal gain or for Christ? The weeds exist earthly riches deceiving many who seek personal gain leading them away. Another sign of what our heart is on is what we put our trust in during difficult times. What do we turn to, alcohol, drugs, money, sexual desires? Where our eyes are is the thing we put our trust in and if that we put our trust in is not of God then the eye is unhealthy and the heart is troubled, not of peace and joy, and Jesus says that is darkness or the Light within us is hidden.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and fortress, my God, in whom I trust.*
When begin a hart devoted to God by learning to put our trust in God. Trusting we can enter into His rest, where we find peace and joy that is not dependent on circumstances. As we have learned he will provide, he will protect, though our circumstances say different, though a thief has broken in and stolen our earthly riches, reputation, or sought to destroy us or the ones we love, we have learned and therefore remember that he is good and faithful. For some trust in Him comes only during the most difficult times, I think this human nature, especially to children who have been abandoned and abused, for these trust is difficult and it takes repeated lessons. The lessons get easier as we find it is easier to trust in him because he has proven he is faithful, good, and loving toward us in the past. Unknowingly our hearts become devoted to Him, and our heavenly Father says of us, my child...
... according to my heart who does all that I will.*
We find it is easier to again trust in Him during difficult times, as we become more and more devoted to him, remembering his goodness. It is amazing what men schemes devise in order to achieve devotion, but if you do not win the heart, the battle is lost. Devotion of the heart is not a simple matter and though some say the Christian life is not a simple and easy thing, it is by no means meant to be, it is like treasure hidden, we must sell all we have of this world to possess this treasure, to lay hold of that which is heavenly. For the rich young ruler Jesus said this was literally to give away all his earthly riches, and because this is what he placed his trust in it was difficult to do. It is a matter of trust and of what the heart of men are devoted to.
a thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you... because you have made the Lord your dwelling place... no plague will come near your tent.*
If we look at the life of David, even as a shepherd boy protecting the sheep from lions and bears, we see the lesson is trusting in God. A trust so developed when proven warriors coward before him David faces this giant. Later though anointed king he has to run from Saul for many years, what is the lesson? When he becomes King, he is constantly being attacked by enemies and plagues, so what is the lesson there? is it not that God is his strength, his shelter, the One he runs to? Is it is not that God is his provider, protector, and the one in whom he trusts?* Important is the lesson of trust, as trust leads to a heart devoted to God. So God doesn't always do away with our enemies nor the plague at our house. I would say the lesson of trust is why we have a devotion problem. Remember David's lessons to trust in God began at an early age, and continued throughout his life, and he was devoted to God though some times his eyes focused on earthly things, Bathsheba. The scriptures say his heart was after God's own, surely this is to say he was devoted to God in which trust plays an important role. Hear what David has learned about trusting in God.
I will say of Yahweh, he is my refuge, my God in whom I trust.*
Yahweh is the God of gods, the Lord of lords, the King of kings... Can we think of any other position of authority and power that God does not possess and in which we should put our trust in? If we understand trust we lay a foundation, deep roots for a heart devoted to God. One can't be devoted to God and not trust him, so devotion and trust go hand in hand. What do you put your trust in? "for he will either hate the one and love the other, either he will be devoted to one and despise the other..."* Serving God and devotion to him are one and the same. To be devoted is to hold firmly, cling or adhere to.* My heavenly Father always proves that he loves me, is always there and will never leave nor forsake, that he is faithful and good. In such he proves he is devoted to me and from such devotion my heart becomes more and more devoted to him, he wins my heart thus I am devoted to God. So we pray, enlighten the eyes of our heart so that we might be devoted to you.
God of All My Days
yea, lay up stores of riches, your treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.*
In the new covenant there is a dispensation of grace, in order that we trust in God and do not put confidence or trust in the flesh. Certainly devotion speaks of where the heart is. I would go even further saying earthly riches(mamónas) means being "devoted to earthly riches" or even being "devoted to the flesh" which is to have trust or confidence in things of this world, not God. This makes since as Jesus used the word devoted in context of this saying, "he will be devoted to one and despise the other," meaning you can't be devoted to earthly riches and God at the same time. So we see that whatever we put our trust in is what we will be devoted to and whatever we are devoted to is what we put our trust in, this is our treasure. The concept that where out treasure is that place in which our heart is devoted to. Also in context the eye is the lamp of the body, the body also called the flesh, so if we are focused on the fleshly in this place our treasure is. The key to obedience or ruling over evil and the flesh is a heart devoted. Patriotism can be seen as the heart of a country devoted.
For where your treasure exists, there in that place your heart exists also, in that place. The lamp of the body exists the eye, if your eye exists healthy, your whole body exists filled with Light.*
The focus of these scriptures is where we put our heart. We defeat those devoted to earthly riches who try to pass it off as godly stewardship in that their efficiency disregards caring for the poor. Or that which the scriptures say to leave to the poor they would gather in the name of good stewardship.* They serve for personal gain, not for the gain of Christ. Paul writes in Ephesians that from God's riches come "spiritual" blessings, they are not earthly, not of things of this earth. If we do not have an understanding at your core, as to what the difference is between what is earthly and heavenly then how can we have devotion to God and heavenly things? They are two different things. Of course I am speaking to believers in whom God has put his Spirit and given a new heart, if there is a problem of the heart, if the heart is focused on earthly treasures then the issue is of the eyes, or what we have our eyes focused on. Where our eyes are focused this is our treasure, and in this place is our heart. This is good news because if we place, fix our eyes on Jesus our faith increases and we lose sight of the things of this world including the rule of sin in the flesh.
that one plants, now, that one waters, existing one, now, each receives his wage according to his own difficulty.*
It is difficult to enter the kingdom of God Jesus said. And in the kingdom of God is the one watering greater than the one planting? No. If the one watering is not greater than the one planting then the one planting the seed is not greater than the one watering. Thus the one spreading the good news is no greater than the one teaching. Most telling in what they have our eyes on, is it for personal gain or for Christ? The weeds exist earthly riches deceiving many who seek personal gain leading them away. Another sign of what our heart is on is what we put our trust in during difficult times. What do we turn to, alcohol, drugs, money, sexual desires? Where our eyes are is the thing we put our trust in and if that we put our trust in is not of God then the eye is unhealthy and the heart is troubled, not of peace and joy, and Jesus says that is darkness or the Light within us is hidden.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and fortress, my God, in whom I trust.*
When begin a hart devoted to God by learning to put our trust in God. Trusting we can enter into His rest, where we find peace and joy that is not dependent on circumstances. As we have learned he will provide, he will protect, though our circumstances say different, though a thief has broken in and stolen our earthly riches, reputation, or sought to destroy us or the ones we love, we have learned and therefore remember that he is good and faithful. For some trust in Him comes only during the most difficult times, I think this human nature, especially to children who have been abandoned and abused, for these trust is difficult and it takes repeated lessons. The lessons get easier as we find it is easier to trust in him because he has proven he is faithful, good, and loving toward us in the past. Unknowingly our hearts become devoted to Him, and our heavenly Father says of us, my child...
... according to my heart who does all that I will.*
We find it is easier to again trust in Him during difficult times, as we become more and more devoted to him, remembering his goodness. It is amazing what men schemes devise in order to achieve devotion, but if you do not win the heart, the battle is lost. Devotion of the heart is not a simple matter and though some say the Christian life is not a simple and easy thing, it is by no means meant to be, it is like treasure hidden, we must sell all we have of this world to possess this treasure, to lay hold of that which is heavenly. For the rich young ruler Jesus said this was literally to give away all his earthly riches, and because this is what he placed his trust in it was difficult to do. It is a matter of trust and of what the heart of men are devoted to.
a thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you... because you have made the Lord your dwelling place... no plague will come near your tent.*
If we look at the life of David, even as a shepherd boy protecting the sheep from lions and bears, we see the lesson is trusting in God. A trust so developed when proven warriors coward before him David faces this giant. Later though anointed king he has to run from Saul for many years, what is the lesson? When he becomes King, he is constantly being attacked by enemies and plagues, so what is the lesson there? is it not that God is his strength, his shelter, the One he runs to? Is it is not that God is his provider, protector, and the one in whom he trusts?* Important is the lesson of trust, as trust leads to a heart devoted to God. So God doesn't always do away with our enemies nor the plague at our house. I would say the lesson of trust is why we have a devotion problem. Remember David's lessons to trust in God began at an early age, and continued throughout his life, and he was devoted to God though some times his eyes focused on earthly things, Bathsheba. The scriptures say his heart was after God's own, surely this is to say he was devoted to God in which trust plays an important role. Hear what David has learned about trusting in God.
I will say of Yahweh, he is my refuge, my God in whom I trust.*
Yahweh is the God of gods, the Lord of lords, the King of kings... Can we think of any other position of authority and power that God does not possess and in which we should put our trust in? If we understand trust we lay a foundation, deep roots for a heart devoted to God. One can't be devoted to God and not trust him, so devotion and trust go hand in hand. What do you put your trust in? "for he will either hate the one and love the other, either he will be devoted to one and despise the other..."* Serving God and devotion to him are one and the same. To be devoted is to hold firmly, cling or adhere to.* My heavenly Father always proves that he loves me, is always there and will never leave nor forsake, that he is faithful and good. In such he proves he is devoted to me and from such devotion my heart becomes more and more devoted to him, he wins my heart thus I am devoted to God. So we pray, enlighten the eyes of our heart so that we might be devoted to you.
God of All My Days