2 Chronicles 12:14 And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD. The marginal reading is, "He fixed not his heart upon the Lord." This was a favourite expression of David's. "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed." "His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord." Perhaps it was intended to draw a contrast between the character of Rehoboam and his far worthier ancestor. Religion is not a thing that can be taken up in a loose, careless manner. It claims the whole purpose and energy of the heart. In the "Pilgrim's Progress," Prudence wished to know from Christian how he was enabled to overcome his temptations and to persevere in the good and holy way. Christian's reply was, "When I think of what I saw at the Cross, that will do it; when I look upon my broidered coat, that will do it; when I look into the roll that I carry in my bosom, that will do it; and when my thoughts wax warm about whither I am going, that will do it." I cannot do better than follow in the line of the great dreamer's allegory. I. THE FIRST CONDITION OF A FIXED HEART IS A SIGHT OF THE CROSS. The world's religion ends with forgiveness; God's religion begins with it. There is nothing that imparts such solidity to character, and such strength and dignity to life, as conscious peace with Heaven. II. The next thing is to LOOK UPON YOUR "BROIDERED COAT" — the righteousness that is "unto all and upon all them that believe." III. Bunyan's pilgrim looked also oftentimes into the ROLL WHICH HE CARRIED IN HIS BOSOM. Habitual study of the Bible is indispensable to a healthy condition of the soul. McCheyne would not speak to any one in the morning till he had first of all heard the voice of God. It gives a tone to the whole day, when we begin the day with Him. IV. "WHEN HIS THOUGHTS WAXED WARM ABOUT WHITHER HE WAS GOING," THAT GAVE FIXEDNESS TO CHRISTIAN'S HEART. You may be none the less shrewd as to the interests of time because you are wise as to the concerns of eternity; like a trusty pilot, who, though his eyes are on the stars, keeps his hand upon the helm. (J. T. Davidson, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.WEB: He did that which was evil, because he didn't set his heart to seek Yahweh. |
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