KEEP THY HEART WITH ALL DILIGENCE.
By Nellie F. Heald
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” We cannot over-estimate the importance of giving heed to this precept. Something of exceeding value is given us to keep; and this precious gift of God, which we are exhorted to keep with all diligence, is the heart, or the thinking, intelligent part of our being, especially the affections. In our bodily organism, the heart is that vital organ from which flows the life current to all parts of the system. We know if its action is healthful, and the blood pure, the whole body will be in health and vigor, while if the reverse of this is true feebleness and disease will follow. The affections are vital to the moral nature. If they are pure, being set upon things above, and not on things on the earth, then the moral nature will exhibit moral beauty and vigor. It is because our affections naturally cling to earth,—to its joys, its honors, and its treasures, that we are so earnestly exhorted to keep the heart, lest God should be forgotten, and heavenly things despised. That we may keep the heart in the sense that is here meant, it must be renewed by the Spirit of God. The current of our affections must be turned from earth to Heaven, by its divine agency. To keep it in this direction we must exercise all diligence and watchfulness on our part, thus becoming co-workers with Him. But the Word says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” We do not know our own heart; and are in a great measure blind to its evil tendencies. We cannot control our affections by an effort of the will, as we can our hands or our feet. How then shall we keep the heart, since our own wisdom and ability are insufficient? We cannot know the hidden tendencies of our hearts, except they are revealed to us by the Spirit’s enlightening power. “I cannot trust my heart; ’tis only known
To Thee, who searchest all its depths of ill.” We cannot keep the heart only as we commit it in simple trust to Him who says in tender, pitying love, “Give me thy heart.” Our thoughts and affections are the springs from which our actions flow. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” If pure and correct principles govern our thoughts and affections, our characters will be developed in harmony with such principles. If evil thoughts are cherished, and our affections are set upon unworthy objects, the result will be seen in the life and character. The reason why we should keep our hearts with all diligence is given in the text,—“for out of it are the issues of life.” The issue is the end, or ultimate result. Whether the final result of life will be happy or the reverse, depends upon the keeping of our hearts. If we are careless and indifferent about the matter, or refuse to obey the divine command, Satan will be sure to gain possession of our affections, and control them to his own liking, and sad indeed will be the result. Not only in this life will it bring evil upon ourselves and others, but in the world to come, the wrath of God, and eternal death. But if with all diligence we keep our hearts in the love of God and obedience to his righteous law, then will the result be happy, thrice happy, sweet joy and peace no language can portray. Instead of eternal death without one ray of hope to cheer its gloom, or dispel the mist of darkness forever, it will be eternal life in the light and glory of paradise regained. Who would not choose the latter as his portion? Who would not shrink in terror from the former? One of these two issues we must inevitably meet. Shall we choose now the portion of the blest, while Mercy spreads over us her wings of love, and broods in tender pity over our fallen race? Shall we choose now, while a loving and compassionate Saviour says, Come, give me thy heart, and I will preserve its affections pure; and the issue shall be joy unspeakable, and full of glory? Shall we choose now, while angels watch with tearful interest our decisions, that they may bear on swift pinions of light the glad tidings131of a new-born soul, so there may be joy amid the angelic host, over the repenting sinner? Shall we choose now, while the Spirit says, Come? “Oh! sinner, turn, why will you die?
God, your Maker, asks you why.” “Only one hope I see,—
O sinner, seize it now,
The blood that Jesus shed for thee,
No other hope hast thou.” NELLIE F. HEALD.
Temple, N. H.