Castles! They're fun and they're for fantasy moments--in books, magazines, on tour--if you're on vacation--AND on TV, if you're taking a break. And that's where I saw it--the famous Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. I sat in my bargain clothes, in my bargain chair, in my bargain house--and admired HIS--the beautiful art pieces, the private zoo, the Roman pool, the exquisite rooms, furniture, furnishings--and of course, I DROOLED...
No...I did NOT drool! You see, I saw something else. I saw a life of riches--a very rich and famous man, owning a very rich and famous residence, entertaining his very rich and famous friends, in his very rich and famous style--and that's ALL. He DIED! He could not take any of it with him. It was sad, empty, cold, lifeless--and a lesson to my heart.
I will never own a castle...what in the world would I DO with it? What would I WEAR in it? What would I COOK in it? And horror of horrors, how would I CLEAN it! No, I'm not into castle-living--castles are to look at, not to live in...or are they?
You see, there's a "castle" within my heart where a King longs to reside. He doesn't check out my dining room china, my designer-label dress or my daring new 'do! He doesn't even notice if the outer halls are overweight, over-wrinkled and over-worn! No, He's looking for a loving, giving, serving heart--one who finds its finest desires and delight in Him. And the reward? He will take full responsibility for the castle and ALL its trimmings--IF He's given the key!
Material possessions--castles, cars, jewels, swimming pools, not to mention money, stocks, rare coins and the like; add on world-renowned prominence, title, awards, honors--they are all but "dung" in the presence of the King. He's looking for YOU and for ME, wholeheartedly devoted to Him, whose desires are not for riches and wealth, unless it's the KING'S kind of riches and wealth--His love, joy and peace; His grace, mercy and blessing filling the castle where He reigns.
I like nice things too, just like you--but when it's all said and done, what I really want is His blessing--nothing more, nothing less. Read it in "The Prayer of Jabez" (which I highly recommend--see links below):
"To bless in the biblical sense means to ask for or to impart supernatural favor...This kind of richness is what the writer was referring to in Proberbs: 'The Lord's blessing is our greatest weath; all our work adds nothing to it (Proverbs 10:22, TLB).'"
..."This kind of radical trust in God's good intentions toward us has nothing in common with the popular gospel that you should ask God for a Cadillac, a six-figure income, or some other material sign that you have found a way to cash in on your connection with Him. Instaed, the Jabez blessing focuses like a laser on our wanting for ourselves nothing more and nothing less than what God wants for us."
(Excerpt taken from "The Prayer of Jabez (Breaking Through to the Blessed Life)"
by Bruce Wilkinson (Multnomah Publisher.)
Am I ready and willing to make that kind of commitment to the King? May I open wide the door for Him to stay in permanent residence and in powerful reign in the castle of my heart. Not as a guest--but as the KING! And may it be a castle fit for the King--today, tomorrow and always!
Delight in a Word from the Well--a refreshing in the Water of His Word
"...For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them;
and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (2 Corinthians 6:16)."
Draw from the Well--a song and a prayer for renewing strength for this day
Born to Be King from Songs of Praise
"Lord, I may not have the wealth of this world--but I have You--and that's enough! Live and reign in the castle of my heart--today and always, In Jesus' Name, Amen."
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