God Who Moves the Mind

“And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments.  So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the Lord.” Exodus 35:21-22

“The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 30:12

“Then rose up the heads of the fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem.  And all who were about them aided them with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with beasts, and with costly wares, besides all that was freely offered.” Ezra 1:5-6

“Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first.” Nehemiah 7:5

“God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.” Revelation 17:17

The Almighty is dynamic, never static. He inspires people to give, build, organize, design, unite, obey. What He intends in His mind He sovereignly stirs us to accomplish. He plans, ordains, and executes within and according to perfect knowledge, arranging place and passions and moving the hearts of men. We think with desire, and yearn for ultimate control, but our Regent at the helm is in benevolent control. (Exodus 31:1-11)

This should awaken in us a sense of wonder, gratitude, and cooperation. We may prefer to have it our way, but submitting to His energizes our faculties and scoops us into the bundle of His kingdom purposes. When we strike out in our own direction and strength, we miss out on seeking and recognizing the Spirit’s inspiration, and the realization of His powerful presence and favor. Unless we know the God who moves the mind, we will never know the joy of being so loved.

How well do we know the ways of God? When faced with time, or a task, how readily do we seek His direction and enabling? When has He inspired a fresh idea, a solution for a problem, a compromise in a disagreement? Do we study scriptural samples of His habits among men in work and worship, conundrums and relationships?

In order to be led and moved by the Lord, it’s imperative we guard our hearts from false teaching and persuasive emotions. Keeping them clean from pollutants and wayward affections frees them to obey. Aligning them with truth prepares them to be led. Offering them as God’s royal throne assures that He is honored. (Proverbs 4:23)

Father, guard my heart from foreign intrusion, that it be a pure receptacle of Your messages and instrument of Your moving, unto Your good purposes and glory.