I’ve been hearing this word loud and clear for several weeks now.

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 NASB

The message version says it this way;

“Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.” Proverbs 4:23-27

“Leave evil in the dust.” 

Right now, the Middle East is filled with evil.  

Right now, with everything going on in Israel, it’s difficult to remain focused.  

The news pouring out of the Middle East is revolting.  

It stirs emotions too deep for words. 

We talked about this before, that news sources are designed to keep us focused on the negative happening around us. Amen?  

We can choose whether to watch or not.  

TVs have an off button. 

I am not saying to be uninformed or sheltered.  but I am saying, or asking, what are you meditating on?  

If you are finding yourself stuck watching the news to see the latest happenings. If you find yourself focused on social media rhetoric concerning bad news and all that’s wrong in the world, this word is definitely for you today.   

Guarding our hearts is what the Father wants.  He’s concerned for the condition of our hearts, and filling it with the truth found in His word.  

Foreboding is the anticipation of evil coming.  

Anticipation of something bad happening. 

Foreboding leads to dread. 

Dread causes avoidance and isolation from the beautiful life God has given us.

Dread, in turn, leads to fear. 

Fear will paralyze.

Fear leads to destruction.

If we stop it at foreboding, if we recognize what’s happening, then we can cut it off there. Cut off the enemy’s plan to capture our hearts in fear. Foreboding is a thought and our thoughts can be taken captive.

He has equipped us well with the full armor of God.  He has equipped us with the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.

Speak out loud over fear, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7 NKJV

In Luke 21:25-26 NASB Jesus is describing the circumstances of the Earth at the time of His return. 

It says, “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

KJV says it this way, “Men’s hearts will fail them for fear.” 

Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭42‬, ‭44‬ says, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

This happening is not evil, this happening is not to be dreaded, but celebrated! Hallelujah, for the coming of the King of Kings! 

“Come, Lord Jesus, come.”

Fear not. 

We cannot stay focused on the destruction that’s happening around us, and maintain a peaceful heart.  

We need to set our eyes towards the Lord, Who is and always will be the source of our deliverance. 

I absolutely refuse to allow the enemy to take my peace from me.

We have His peace…The peace He left with us, that’s what scripture says.  

John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.”

Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Hear me today when I say…

He sees you.

He sees you, sitting in the car as tears run down your face because getting out and going inside means it starts all over again.  

He sees you, worrying about how that paycheck will cover your bills but then how you will feed your family for the rest of the month.  

He sees you when you are sitting on the floor hugging the toilet because the treatments are making you so sick you can’t stand up.  

Jesus sees you.

He is the giver of our help. 

He is the source of our peace.

Lift your eyes and look up.  

The instructions are from Jesus Himself in Luke 21:28 says, “Straighten up and lift your heads”….

Psalm 121:1-2 says, 

“Rise up and look to the hills where our help comes from.”  

Let us remember how to fight our battles when everything seems beyond hope.  

Consider David…he praised. 

Psalm 27:6 says, “And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, And I will offer sacrifices in His tent with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.”

Consider Jehoshaphat…he praised. 

 2 Chronicles 20:21 says, “After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”

Consider Paul and Silas…they praised. 

Acts 16:25-26 says, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.”

These are all recorded evidence of the faithfulness of God.  

These accounts in scripture are recorded to be the testimony in which we build our faith.  

These accounts are examples of our solution.  

Let these be the focus of our hearts.  

Guard your heart and mind from the destruction and turn your eyes towards the beauty that can be found in the promises of God.  

We are free to walk our streets, gather with others, go to church, and own a Bible.  

Praise God for the benefits of this beautiful and free country we live in.