What Has God Placed in Your Heart?

So I came to Jerusalem and was there for three days. Then I got up during the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal I took was the animal I rode. Nehemiah 2:11-12 NRSV

God has given Nehemiah a dream of rebuilding Jerusalem. But he tells no one but the King, whose permission and support he receives. He tours what used to be the walls of this city under cover of darkness so that no one will know what he is planning on doing. He keeps what God has placed in his heart a secret at this time.

I don't know if I have as much restraint as Nehemiah. I would rather tell as many people as possible the plans that God has placed on my heart. I need to listen more carefully to the Spirit's urging when it is the best time to speak and when to hold back.

What thoughts, dreams or goals has God placed on your heart lately? Have you told anyone about them? Do you feel as though you should? Perhaps some of them are to be spoken of while the rest remain in your head.

Nehemiah, though, doesn't stop with his heart. He works in the night to begin his plans by walking the wall. He wants to know how bad it is (and it turns out to be worse than he had imagined). And it is only after his nighttime inspection that he reveals to all the Jewish people and leaders what God has asked him to begin.

Lord, help us to know when to express what you have placed in our hearts, when to do some "secret" inspections of our own and when to reveal your desires. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims

Nothing But the Truth

When Delilah realized he had told her his whole secret, she sent and called the lords of the Philistines, saying, "This time come up, for he has told his whole secret to me." Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her, and brought the money in their hands. Judges 16: 18 NRSV

I have been reading a book lately about truth in the business world and how truth is so important, not just in business but in our personal lives as well. It makes me think of times when I have fudged a bit on the truth in dealing with people in the church and how people in the church have not been truthful with me. Many times, I am naive but there are those times when I know without a doubt that the person is telling me the truth.

Delilah knows that Samson has finally told her the truth. I don't know how she knows - maybe it is the way he says it or what he says (or both) - but she knows this is his secret.

Of course, Samson telling Delilah the truth is not the best example for being a truthful person. Of course, she hasn't been truthful, either. I guess extending truth to those who are truthful in return is the best example.

Does this mean we should be truthful at all times, and hope others are, too?

Seems to me I remember someone saying that the Truth will set you free. That same someone happens to be The Truth.

God, you have shared The Truth with us. May we share it with the world. Amen.

Question of the day: When have you felt you could not tell the truth to someone you loved?

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims

Trust Me

Then the lords of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not dried out, and she bound him with them. While men were lying in wait in an inner chamber, she said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" But he snapped the bowstrings, as a strand of fiber snaps when it touches the fire. So the secret of his strengths was not known. Judges 16: 8-9 NRSV

I am trying to get my head around how untrustworthy everyone in this story is and how they all know it.

Delilah tries to trick Samson - she asks him what would make him lose his strength. Her main goal is to have him captured so that she gets rich.

Samson, even though he is in love with her, does not tell her what makes him strong. This was smart. But why does he lie? Obviously, his lust...er...love is not enough to be honest even if it was just to say: "I'm not going to tell you."

Then Samson obviously falls asleep during one of his visits and Delilah ties him up. Then she cries out that his enemy is upon him. As the Philistines are only hiding in the next room, it is obviously that neither Delilah nor the Philistine lords trust what Samson has told her. They are testing him. They want to see if Samson has truly lost his strength.

Now Samson reveals that he has lied but it is obvious now that Delilah has lied. Samson now knows for sure that he cannot trust her. Does he know she is going to betray him or does he think she just wants to know his secret?

How trustworthy are the people in your life? In your church? At work? Would you share your secrets with any of them? In other words, how trustworthy are they? How trustworthy are you?

God, you know our deepest secrets, our strengths and our weaknesses. You want to hear those from our lips. May we share them now......In Jesus' name. Amen.

Question of the day: When have you betrayed someone's trust?

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims