Old Testament Israelites prepared their hearts by obedience. There is no sidestepping this requirement. When they set their hearts to serve the Lord, they walked in His commandments and received the blessing. They guarded their hearts from false gods and foolish friendships. They were willingly set apart to be His people. For example, in this passage, “Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only” 1 Sam. 7:4.

Their choice required acknowledgement of sin and a heart of repentance. “And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord. And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh” 1 Sam. 7:5-6. An interesting observation is that anytime in the Bible something is “poured out” before the Lord, the idea of consecration and sacrifice is attached to that act.

Throughout their wilderness wanderings, the obedient children of Abraham continually sought His presence, following Him across sea and desert and camping around His tabernacle. But when they let their heart stray, the enemy was waiting to devour them. In this account in 1 Sam. 7, “And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.” They recognized their need for unbroken fellowship and communication with their God.

They were obedient in their worship. When the Israelites worshipped the false gods of the heathen, their hearts and homes reflected that sin. But when they prepared their hearts by obedience, they worshipped the one true God only, in the time, place, and manner of His commands. “And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him. And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel” 1 Sam. 7:9-10.

The Israelites continued in that victorious day to pursue and persecute the enemy. “And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car” 1 Sam. 7:11. This has to be my attitude toward my enemies of sin, self, and Satan, as well!

As I think of the heart of preparation, there is one more verse to remember. When the Israelites put the Philistines to flight and claimed victory, “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us” 1 Sam. 7:12.

Of all the preparations I can make for the coming year, preparing my heart is the most important. This description is offered repeatedly in the Old Testament. It is my deliberate will to obey God’s revealed Word.

What is the obedience of my heart? Am I valuing the spiritual blessings that God has bestowed on me as His child? Many challenges and trials lie ahead, the first preparation I can make is in my own heart – so that I may be able to say, “Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by Thy help I’m come!”

“Come Thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise

Here I raise my Ebenezer
Here by Thy great help I've come
And I hope by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home

Oh, to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be
Let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, oh take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above”