What does it mean to set your heart on something? I’m not talking about a small desire. I’m talking about the relentless pursuit of something. If you really set your heart on something, it means that you are going to dedicate your time, energy, and passion to making it happen.
We see people set their hearts on a wide variety of different things. Sometimes it’s all about getting in shape. Currently, there is a lot of focus on getting a certain candidate on one side of the aisle or the other elected. Sometimes it’s a job or promotion. Whatever it is, I believe that humans are innately wired to want more. Because of this desire, we are constantly setting our hearts towards visions or goals and working to see those things come to pass.
The sad part about it all, is I believe most people set their hearts on things that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. When our goals are self-focused only, we are probably missing the point. What if we set our hearts on something better than a promotion or a new diet or anything else that doesn’t have eternal ramifications?
In Ezra 7, verse 10, it says that Ezra devotes himself to study and observe the law of the Lord, and to teach it to Israel. I love this little snippet buried in this Old Testament book because I think it gives us the key to learning how to set our heart on Him who is eternally significant.
So how do you set your heart on the Lord?
Obviously it starts with studying the Word. However, what is great about this passage is Ezra doesn’t just study the Word and become an intelligent hypocrite. Besides just studying, secondly he actually observes the law!
Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Ezra 7:10
Why are Christians so often labeled hypocrites? Because we know the law (study) but we use our knowledge to judge and point out sin. By doing this, we often forget about actually living out what we have learned. The more you study, the more you should see God’s extravagant love and grace for you and this should paint how you interact with others.
Finally, he doesn’t just study and observe the law, he then teaches it! As he uncovers God’s incredible truth, Ezra doesn’t stay silent about it. He teaches it to others!
Do you want to live a life that counts? Then you have to set your heart on the Lord. Learn the Word, live the Word, and look for every opportunity to share its truth with others!
Let’s pray that we all set our hearts on the Lord, church!
In Him,
Pastor Zach