Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Psalm 32:11 NIV
Upright in Heart
According to the Wandering Educators website, Quebec City is the Heart of Canada. The web page says “No place in North America equals Quebec City for its charm, unique culture, and beauty. The only walled city north of Mexico, when you pass through the portal into the city’s historic section, the focus for most visitors, it’s like entering a fairy tale complete with a castle. The century-old Fairmont Le Château Frontenac—with its towering top ringed by steeples and turrets—overlooks the St. Lawrence River and soars over the town, adding to the magical feeling.”
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Part of the challenge of being human is that we are selfish by nature. Even in our closest relationships we too often look for what we can get out of others. We naturally want our own needs met and can too often use others to do it. It isn’t that we don’t want to help others, or don’t desire to see those we love succeed. Human beings do loving acts and are often compassionate. But our hearts are far from pure. How then can we experience what David writes about in Psalm 32:11: “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” Only Jesus can make our hearts upright, pure. Only Jesus can change us so that we love others with no selfish intentions. No wonder the response to this kind of heart transplant leads to joy and praise. As we set self aside and allow the Spirit of Jesus to control us, we begin to truly love selflessly and God gets all the glory. Out of that rises a song of praise and gratitude.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley