Wild Heart by Kim Walker-Smith

Day 7 of 7 Day Devotional.

You’ll Always Be:

Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV) “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”

The song “You’ll Always Be” is my favorite on the record. It makes me cry every time I hear it! Every line reminds me of the faithfulness of God. He has been nothing but kind and loving towards me. As this album is released, the world is in the middle of a pandemic, COVID-19. There is so much uncertainty in the world. People are fearful, tired, confused, and angry. In the middle of all of this, I am reminded that if I fix my eyes on Jesus, not the news, not social media, not even the voice of people around me, He will keep me in His perfect peace. No one and nothing can offer peace like Jesus, peace that passes all understanding. And though we are in this world, we are not of this world. We belong to a different kingdom! We are citizens of Heaven! And the truth is, that fear, anxiety, stress, and depression were defeated long ago at the Cross. Jesus said, “It is finished!”. Now, when those things try to creep back in and resume occupancy in our minds and hearts, we have authority to send those things out! Fear and anxiety must bow to the name of Jesus – the Name above every other name! There is so much power in His name. Depression cannot stand against it. Sickness cannot stand against it. Remember this today! You have a champion in Jesus, who not only fights for you, but already defeated your enemy! Today, as you read this scripture and as you listen to this song, tell the fear to bow to Jesus. Send it away! Let powerful hope rise up inside of you as you cling to Jesus and His truth. Remind yourself of the authority Jesus has given you and take hold of His perfect peace. 

Wild Heart by Kim Walker-Smith

Day 6 of 7 Day Devotional

Wild Heart:

Luke 15:20 (TPT) “So the young son set off for home. From a long distance away, his father saw him coming, dressed as a beggar, and great compassion swelled up in his heart for his son who was returning home. So the father raced out to meet him. He swept him up in his arms, hugged him dearly, and kissed him over and over with tender love.”

Most of us know the story of the prodigal son. We hear it as children in Sunday school class and study it at church. It is a beautiful story and reminder of the love that God has for us, His children. He rejoices when we return home, for what once was lost, now is found. When his son, who had rejected him, finally returns home, he is not met with punishment and scolding. He is met with rejoicing and love! This story fills me with so much joy, to consider the way God loves us. He doesn’t give us what we deserve, but because of Jesus and the price He paid on the cross, God gives to us forgiveness and unconditional love. This story fills me with so much joy, to consider the way God loves us. He doesn’t give us what we deserve, but because of Jesus and the price He paid on the cross, God gives to us forgiveness and unconditional love. The song “Wild Heart” is an expression of that love and joy. Our Father goes to great lengths to find us, to call out to us, to save us, and to never give up on us. When I look back on my own life, I can see all the times He was trying to capture my attention, giving me an opportunity to follow Him. He went through such great lengths to show us love, even giving up His own son as a sacrifice for our sins! Today, I pray that you would not just remember the beauty of the Cross and how much your Heavenly Father loves you, but that you would also be filled with overflowing joy! I pray that you would be filled up to overflowing with that love and reminded of it in every moment of your day. My favorite line in the song is “He stops at nothing, till we return.” Jesus died and rose again for every single one of us. And He deserves His full reward – every single heart given to Him and lifted high in worship of Him. 

Wild Heart by Kim Walker-Smith

Day 5 of 7 Day Devotional.

Stones:

Luke 19:39-40 (TPT) “Some Jewish religious leaders who stood off from the procession said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, you must order your followers at once to stop saying these things!’ Jesus responded, ‘Listen to me. If my followers were silenced, the very stones would break forth with praises!’”

We are created to worship. I believe this about every single person, whether or not they can sing or play an instrument. If I were to define worship very simply, I would say that worship is relationship with God. It is God pouring out His love on His people and us, in turn, responding to that love and pouring our love back out on Him. Worship isn’t about a talent or a skill. It is simply giving God what He is worthy of and deserving of.  

There are days when I don’t really “feel” like worshipping. Maybe I’m tired, maybe the kids were a bit unruly, maybe I got in an argument with my spouse, and I just don’t feel like opening my mouth to worship. On those days and in those kinds of moments, I stop to think about what Jesus saved me from. I remember the pit I was in until He called my name. I remember the darkness that surrounded me until He lit the way out. I remember the anger and pain that filled me until He threw them out and filled me with His love. Suddenly, I cannot contain my praise! Suddenly, my heart is filled with so much gratitude, that it feels like it could burst! The song “Stones” has a line in the chorus that says, “I will praise you, something in me has to!”. I am compelled to worship, to bow down, to lift Him up, to shout praise, to sing, and to give Him all of me! Jesus is so worthy! Today, don’t hold back your worship and your praise. Take a moment to fill your heart with gratitude for who He is and for what He’s done. Don’t let the rocks cry out! Lift up your worship to Jesus, the One who is so deserving of your voice and praise!