Surgery is the last thing we want to hear the doctor say.  Why?  Well, simply said, “it hurts”.  Yet it is necessary in order to fix the problem and begin the healing process.  Lately, I’ve met more people having replacement or repair surgery, and then about their hard work of physical therapy in order for healing to begin.  In most cases they have been successful.  If you ask someone who has had successful surgery if they’d consider it again, they’d most likely would say, “you betya I would”; and they go on to tell you all about the benefits they’ve experienced.

Well, there’s another surgery that is necessary in order to live a life of peace and contentment.  This surgery is also painful and requires a healing process.  This requires our heart – Not the open heart surgery performed by a medical heart surgeon, but by the Lord our God and Savior Jesus Christ – the only one who knows our heart – our innermost being.  Psalm 51 depicts David’s heart.  David is a good example of a man who allowed God to work in his heart. So, today, am I willing to allow God to do surgery on my heart?  Are you willing?  How does God do surgery on our hearts?

First: There is confession – verses 1-6: Verse 2 wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity and cleansed me from my sin; verse 3 For I acknowledge my sin…..- verse 6 ….you desire truth in the inward parts; and the hidden part thou shall make me know wisdom;

Second: Cleansing – verses 7-10: Verse 8 make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice – verse 10 create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me;

Third: Joy – verse 12 restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;

Fourth: Service – verse 13 then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee;

Fifth: Worship – verse 14-17: verse 16 for thou desires not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delighted not in burnt offering; verse 17 the sacrifice of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou will not despise.

Oh, the benefits of heart surgery performed by God will always produce a life of peace and contentment.  No matter what we’ve done God will always forgive and restore.  It’s not a matter of forgiving ourselves: it’s a matter of believing God forgives.  Someone once said “let ourselves off the hook because God has covered it all”.  Amen!

There’s no better surgery then that which we are willing to allow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to do in our hearts.

Thank you, Jesus, for showing me my heart as I ask you to search my heart – and especially thank you for giving me the peace that surpasses all understanding – Philippians 4:5-7 – 5) let your reasonableness be known to everyone, The Lord is at hand; 6) do not be anxious about anything, but in everything in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Blessings,
Pat Spies
Women’s Ministry Volunteer