REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by a former AMI church staff, was first posted on December 14, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Day When My Heart Aligned with My Father’s Heart”

Proverbs 23:15-16

“My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. My inmost being will exult when your lips speak what is right.”

My relationship with my father has been distant for much of my life. I’ve never fully doubted his love, but his long hours at work and the language barrier created obstacles to our closeness. To be honest, though, much of the distance has been my fault. I looked at more of our differences, as well as believing the lie that he would never approve of my accomplishments, which exasperated the separation.

There was one event in my early twenties that became the catalyst for change. I don’t remember how we began, but we started to talk about church and God, as well as what it means to live for Him. As I began to share my thoughts and what I had been learning about faith, he seemed both satisfied and relieved. At one point, he said, “You’re right.” This was an affirmation with no sense of patronization. 

His approval and pleasure came when the words I spoke aligned with the wisdom he spent years raising me to live it out. As he saw that my worldview and faith reflected the biblical truths he held onto, there was a realization that he may have just raised his son correctly. I believe that this is the fruit of parenting. At the end of the day, a child of godly wisdom is a delight to his/her parents. I also believe that when we look at this proverb, the desire of God for us is revealed.

The proverb mentions a heart that is wise. God’s desire for us isn’t wisdom that comes from objective, distant truths that we recite and follow. Rather, if wisdom is a matter of the heart, then we become wise when our hearts reflect the heart of God. In intimacy and understanding our Father, our heart begins to treasure the things on God’s heart. Our values and priorities change, and our worldview changes because of this. Then our decisions align to this wisdom that reflects God’s heart. 

This is what delights God: It’s when we don’t squander the lives He has given us, and when we steward it with wisdom. This Sunday, as we worship the Lord, search honestly in our hearts: Are you making wise living a matter of do’s and don’ts, or are you seeking to treasure what God’s heart treasures? If we want to bring gladness to God, let us begin by aligning our hearts to the heart of the Father. 

Prayer: Dear God, strengthen me with Your truth and through the Holy Spirit, in order that my heart continues to align with Yours.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 4