My son, give me your heart… Proverbs 23:26
The one who gives his or her heart to the Lord is not a stranger or a slave, but a son. The giving of your heart comes out of the knowledge of an established relationship.
Our Lord told a story about a prodigal son who wasted his life in wild living, but then came to his senses and returned. Before he got home, he rehearsed what he would say: “Father… I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants” (Luke 15:19).
But before the son can get to the part about being a servant, his father says, “Bring the fattened calf… and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again…” (15:23, 24). You are my son!
There was another dutiful son who saw that his “no-good brother” was received with a lavish welcome, and he was not happy. It seemed unfair. So he said to the father, “Many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command” (15:29). And the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours” (15:31).
If you think of yourself only as someone who works for God, you will feel that he owes you, and you will not give him your heart. Instead, you will wonder: Am I getting what I deserve? You are more than a servant. Paul says, “You did not receive the spirit of slavery… but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons…” (Rom. 8:15).
When you know that you are a dearly loved child of God, in Jesus Christ, you will give your heart to the Father who loves you.
Are you giving your heart to the Father who loves you?
