Largeness of Heart

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. I Kings 4:29 (KJV)

King Solomon prayed and God gave him largeness of heart. To enlarge means to open, extend, to make large, to make great, to spread out. I don’t know about you, but I would like God to do that for me. How can we receive largeness of heart? There are several ways, but I’ll focus on just three.

The first way is to ask for it (I Kings 3:5-15 and II Chronicles 1:7-12). That’s what Solomon did. And when we combine our asking with praying in the Spirit, it is especially effective. When we pray in the Spirit, God enlarges our hearts like the sand of the sea (I Corinthians 2:6-16 and Romans 8:26-28))

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5 (KJV)

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. I Corinthians 14:2 (KJV)

Secondly, feed on God’s Word. The more we feed on God’s Word, the more the Word enlarges our hearts to receive God’s Word. Jesus becomes bigger in us as we grow in the Word and the Word grows in us (I Peter 2:2-3). As we feed on the Word, we see it, hear it, believe it, speak it, do it, and become it.

I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. Psalm 119:32 (KJV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 (KJV)

The third way I want to touch on is worship. Worship opens and enlarges our hearts. The more we worship and experience the presence of God, the more He enlarges our hearts to receive more of Him (John 4:23-24 and Acts 16:25-34).

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Ephesians 5:18-19 (KJV)

When God enlarges our hearts, our steps, our borders, etc., He is preparing us for more of what He has for us. We must be enlarged to be able to hold what He wants to give us. God will first enlarge our hearts, then our steps, then our place (II Samuel 22:37).

And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. I Chronicles 4:10 (KJV)

Largeness of heart is a big deal. So, ask for it, feed on God’s Word for it, and worship God for it and because of it. As our hearts are enlarged, we will begin to take steps into the enlarged place God has for us to function in the things of God. God will enlarge you more and more, increasing you more and more, to use you more and more.