We’ve spent this series talking about removing things.

Removing sin.

Removing compromise.

Removing idols.

Removing worldly ambitions that have become more important than God’s purposes.

But removing the high places isn’t primarily about what God wants to take away.

It’s about Who belongs in the highest place.

God wants our hearts.

Second Chronicles 16:9 says:

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”

God is looking for hearts that belong completely to Him.

The Danger of a Divided Heart

Throughout Kings and Chronicles, Israel repeatedly struggled with divided devotion.

People wanted God while continuing to maintain their high places.

That same spiritual danger remains today.

We can want Jesus and the world.

Holiness and compromise.

God’s will and our own control.

God’s presence and our idols.

But Jesus said:

“No one can serve two masters.” — Matthew 6:24

Eventually we must decide who occupies the throne.

Joshua made that decision clear:

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” — Joshua 24:15

Unite My Heart

Psalm 86:11 contains a powerful prayer:

“Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.”

Unite my heart.

What a prayer.

“Lord, don’t let my heart be divided between Your Kingdom and this world.”

“Don’t let part of me pursue Jesus while another part protects my idols.”

“Bring every desire, ambition, relationship, possession, and dream under the lordship of Jesus Christ.”

David said:

“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek.” — Psalm 27:4

One thing.

Our culture constantly tells us we need more.

More money.

More recognition.

More possessions.

More success.

More experiences.

More influence.

Yet the heart surrendered to God says:

More Jesus.

Everything Finds Its Proper Place

When Jesus occupies the highest place, we don’t necessarily abandon everything else.

Instead, everything else finds its proper position.

Your career can remain important without becoming your identity.

Money can become a tool instead of your security.

Relationships can become blessings instead of gods.

Success can become an opportunity to glorify Jesus rather than yourself.

Ministry can become service rather than a search for recognition.

Dreams can become surrendered desires rather than demands we place upon God.

You can enjoy the blessing without worshiping the blessing.

When Jesus has the highest place, everything else finds its proper place.

Guard Your Heart

Removing high places is not merely a one-time experience.

Proverbs 4:23 says:

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”

We must continually guard our hearts.

Pay attention when prayer begins disappearing.

Pay attention when Scripture no longer interests you.

Pay attention when worship becomes mechanical.

Pay attention when something consumes your thoughts more than God.

Pay attention when human approval becomes more important than God’s approval.

Pay attention when you begin defending compromises you once resisted.

A high place may be under construction.

Don’t wait until it becomes a fortress.

Tear it down early.

Condemnation or Consecration?

This series isn’t intended to produce condemnation.

Romans 8:1 reminds us:

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”

When the Holy Spirit reveals something in our hearts, God’s purpose is not to crush us.

His purpose is to draw us closer.

First John 1:9 promises that when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us.

Conviction leads us toward Jesus.

Condemnation tells us to run away from Him.

So when the Holy Spirit exposes something, run toward Jesus.

Repent.

Receive His forgiveness.

And surrender that area to Him.

When the High Places Come Down

Something beautiful happens when the high places come down.

The altar of God rises again.

Prayer becomes precious.

Worship becomes powerful.

The Word becomes alive.

Our hunger for God increases.

Our priorities begin changing.

Our decisions begin changing.

Our desires begin changing.

We’re no longer trying to fit Jesus somewhere into our lives.

Our lives belong to Jesus.

Romans 12:1 calls us to present ourselves as living sacrifices before God.

So place everything upon His altar.

Your past.

Your present.

Your future.

Your career.

Your finances.

Your relationships.

Your possessions.

Your dreams.

Your reputation.

Your ministry.

Your successes.

Your failures.

Your time.

Your body.

Your plans.

And say:

“Jesus, everything belongs to You.”

Who Has the Highest Place?

As we conclude this series, there is one final question:

Who has the highest place in your life?

May it never be said of us:

“They loved God. They served God. Nevertheless, the high places remained.”

Instead, may our lives declare:

The high places are down.

The altar belongs to Jesus.

The heart is undivided.

And above everything else:

Jesus has the highest place.

Declaration

I declare that Jesus Christ is Lord over every area of my life. My heart will not be divided between the Kingdom of God and the things of this world. Every high place must come down, and Jesus will occupy the highest place. My career belongs to Him. My finances belong to Him. My relationships belong to Him. My possessions belong to Him. My dreams belong to Him. My ministry belongs to Him. My future belongs to Him. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I will guard my heart, walk in holiness, remain sensitive to conviction, and quickly surrender anything that attempts to become an idol. My heart belongs completely to Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, I surrender myself completely to You.

Lord, unite my heart.

Remove every divided loyalty within me.

Forgive me for every time I have allowed something or someone to occupy a place that belongs only to You.

Today I place everything upon Your altar.

My career is Yours.

My finances are Yours.

My relationships are Yours.

My possessions are Yours.

My dreams are Yours.

My ministry is Yours.

My reputation is Yours.

My plans are Yours.

My future is Yours.

My entire life belongs to You.

Holy Spirit, continue searching my heart.

If another high place begins to rise, reveal it quickly.

Give me the courage to tear it down.

Keep my heart tender toward Your voice.

Increase my hunger for Your Word.

Deepen my prayer life.

Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit.

Let my life burn with passion for Jesus.

May Your presence become more precious to me than success, recognition, possessions, comfort, or anything this world could offer.

Jesus, take the highest place.

Be Lord over my thoughts.

Lord over my desires.

Lord over my decisions.

Lord over my relationships.

Lord over my future.

I choose this day whom I will serve.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

The high places are coming down.

The altar belongs to Jesus.

My heart will be undivided.

Jesus Christ has the highest place.

In the mighty, powerful, and victorious name of Jesus,

Amen.

Walking in the Word — Zeltman Ministries

ZeltmanMinistries.org