Whole Hearted

Wholehearted

In my reading this week, I read "He (Amaziah) did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly. Emphasis mine. (2 Chronicles 25:2, NIV).

Have you ever done what God asked you to do, but not wholeheartedly? Have you gone to church because you knew you should, but not wholeheartedly? Have you read through your devotions each day, but not wholeheartedly? Have you taught your children to walk in the ways of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly?

In contrast, a few chapters later, we read, "In everything that he (Hezekiah) undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. Emphasis mine. And so he prospered" (2 Chronicles 31:21 NIV).

So what made the difference between these two men? The Bible says Hezekiah obeyed God's laws and commands. He sought God and worked wholeheartedly. He sought God. That means he learned about God. He got to know Him. Then he could put his whole heart into obeying God.As we spend time seeking God, learning His ways, we can put our whole heart into serving Him. We will no longer need to obey only in our actions, but we can obey with joy because we know Him."

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free" (Ephesians 6:7-8, NIV). Marilyn Heavlin is a speaker, author and counselor.