Psalm 97:11: “Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart”.
The LORD delights in an upright heart. Uprightness is integrity, honesty and unswerving obedience to God’s Word. “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity” (Proverbs 11:3). Upright heart is discerning, discrete and diligent; there is no duplicity in an upright person. God’s eyes scans beyond the exterior praise, prayer and posture, and looks deeper into a person’s heart. Sincerity and truthfulness touch the heart of God.
Uprightness is to seek discernment and divine knowledge. The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly (Proverbs 15:14). The Lord God gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning (Daniel 2:21). Uprightness is the secret to a cheerful heart.
Daniel was a man of excellence and the spirit of excellence rested upon him. He was wise, discerning and prudent as his heart was upright before the Lord. There were no secret sins, hidden agendas or wicked vice in the heart of Daniel. He endeavored to live according to the Book of the Law and was willing to even risk his life to live uprightly and righteously. Uprightness endowed him with wisdom, excellence and honour.
The source of wisdom, the stream of knowledge and acumen of prudence are from the Lord and the upright have access to these divine treasures. Upright heart is never proud and puffed up. It is not self-seeking, self-centered or self-promoting. It is trustworthy, humble and reliable. God’s hand of honour and power rests with the upright. God delights in those with integrity, while detesting crooked hearts (Proverbs 11:20).
Upright Heart:
- Integrous: God weighs a person’s actions with integrity not influence. Integrity leaves a lasting impact on earth and deposits imperishable treasures in heaven. God marks us on “why we do it” and not on “what we have done”.
- Insightful: An upright heart is discerning and insightful. Insightful heart, enlightened by God’s perspectives, does not look back at the past mistakes with regret but believes that all things work together for good.
- Intentional: An upright heart is intentional to obey God’s Word, at any cost.
The upright are endowed with excellence, wisdom and honour.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, search my heart and make me upright, truthful and sincere. Prune away duplicity and insincerity from me. Amen.
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