SAFEGUARD YOUR HEART

'Serve Jehovah With A Complete Heart'

In his old age, King David told his son: "Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a complete heart and with a delightful soul; for all hearts Jehovah is searching, and every inclination of the thoughts he is discerning." ( 1 Chronicles 28:9) Solomon himself prayed for "an obedient heart." (1 Kings 3:9) Ye, he faced the challenge of maintaining such a heart throughout his life.

If we are to succeed in that regard, we need not only to acquire a heart that is agreeable to Jehovah, but also to safeguard it. To accomplish this, we must keep the reminder of God's Word close to our heart-'in the midst of it.' (Proverbs 4:20-22) We should also make a practice of examining our heart, prayerfully reflecting on what our words and actions reveal. Of what value is such reflection unless we earnestly seek Jehovah's help to correct any weakness that we detect? And how vital that we keep a close watch over what we take in through our senses! In doing this, we have the assurance that "the peace of God that excels all thought will guard [our] hearts and [our] mental powers by means of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6, 7) Yes, let us be determined to safeguard our heart more than all else that is to be guarded and to serve Jehovah with a complete heart.'

Next time: WHY THE APOCALYPSE SCARE?

Watchtower,1999