Take Heart

Written by: Matthew West
Performed by: Matthew West

Welcome! I'm so excited you are checking out another weekly devotional based upon songs.

In the last devotional I created, you may have noticed an excitement over the theme that Jesus is greater than the world. As I was writing that devotional, my heart started taking hold of the song that is our devotional for this week: Take Heart. In fact, the central scripture of the song this week is referenced in last week's devotional. I find it so precious, true, and right that all of God's truths intermingle together. You can't have one without the others. Studying one sheds light on so many others.

We live in a world right now that seems as if it is filled with so many troubles. You can't skim social media, turn on the news, look out the window, or walk into your community without seeing at least some of those troubles. People are struggling, facing injustice, and hurting. At times, it can seem so discouraging, so overwhelming, so insurmountable.

But take heart, Jesus has overcome the world! That's the entire focus this week. No matter what you're going through, no matter where you are, no matter what you see around you…Jesus is greater than all of it! He has overcome all of it! He has paid the price for our eternal glory! Praise God!

The song Take Heart was written in the midst of the global pandemic of coronavirus, but I believe it will ring true as we move forward. Life as we know it has changed, as it always does and always will. Time and time again in the Bible we find events of battle, struggles, and changes. Time and time again in your own life you'll find events of battles, struggles, and changes. In this world, we will have trouble. But take heart, Jesus has overcome the world! As our song says, it's still true that Jesus has the whole world in His hands. He's got you in His hands. Fix your eyes on Him. I speak these statements to myself just as much as I speak them to you. I needed the reminders of the truths in this song and our scriptures this week probably more than any of you.

I have been praying for each of you that this week's devotional may speak a word of encouragement into your life. What's more, I have been praying that your relationship with Jesus may grow – that you may see Him as your true Encourager. I'll leave you with a prayer I believe Jesus Himself speaks over you today. 

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

- John 17:15-19