I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind,
to reward a soul according to their conduct,
according to what they deserve.
Jer. 17:9
Preface
The prophet in Jeremiah 17:9 discloses the nature of the human heart and then shows in Jeremiah 17:10 how God, as the Searcher of Hearts, rewards man/woman according to his/her conduct. Jeremiah’s diagnosis for the spiritually unregenerate heart is that the heart of humanity is more deceitful, cunning than all else to deal treacherously). it is dangerously sick, incurable, cf. Jeremiah 15:18; here, sorely wounded by sin, corrupt or depraved.
Who can know it? What honest person can fathom its nature and corruptness.
The final spiritual prognosis is mankind must not trust the suggestions and illusions of their own heart.
God hears the heart
This week I will be launching a study group called Spiritual Reformation, to introduce Biblical ways toward “Putting on The Character of Christ.” With the use of the Holy Scriptures and our coursebook [which I highly recommend]: Renovation of The Heart, by Dallas Willard, we hope to invoke God to make each of our hearts transparent to His grace and mercy.
Our hearts are what God observes and spiritually addresses in our lives on earth. He cares little for our outward skills, talents, and abilities. The Holy Scriptures are loaded with God’s intimate desire toward our hearts because it is, above all else, who we essentially are. The difference between being “Lost” and “Redeemed” is noted by discerning who is the center of one’s will/heart, is it me or is it God?
Everything about the Kingdom of God can only come from the heart made ready by God. In all of God’s creation and design, God will not overrule the centrality of our wills. He seeks and rewards godly character in us as His redeemed people. He is ever-so-sensitive to the slightest move and intentions of the heart toward Him or away from Him. [Gleaned and paraphrased from Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ, page 115, Transforming Will and Character]
Spiritual Encouragement and Affirmation
The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth 2 Chronicles 16:9
We are forever blessed in this life and the life to come because God governs the world in infinite wisdom, the creatures, and all their actions, are continually under His eye, and He exercises a most watchful providence over all those who sincerely commit themselves to His care, and depend upon Him in well-doing, and will not fail to protect them.
To show himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect, Is not this our ultimate goal for becoming faithful? To live before God and the world upright and sincere! It is my prayer that each of us has a change of heart to truly desire and endeavor to know and do His will in all things.
What a blessed assurance in the life of those who faithfully seek after Him and willfully submit to His will to be sure of His protection and aid and have all the reason in the world to depend on His promises. This is unquestionable the very best means of obtaining a firm and lively faith in that this brings us near to God, and re-unites us to Him.
“The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous.” Psalms 24:15
God is faithful and true in that He observes the redeemed with approval and tender consideration. We are so dear to Him that He cannot take His eyes off us He watches each one of them as carefully and intently as if there were only that one creature in the universe.
“His ears are open unto their cry.” Our Creator’s eyes and ears are thus both turned by the Lord towards His saints; while throughout our lives, His whole mind is occupied about His people. While in the world and other real-life situations, if His people are slighted by all others they are not neglected by Him.
Our cry He hears at once, even as a mother is sure to hear her sick babe; the cry may be broken, unhappy, feeble, unbelieving, yet the Heavenly Father’s quick ear catches each note of lament or appeal, and He is not slow to answer His children’s voice.
Closing Sentiments
God will accept a broken heart, but He must have all the pieces. -Anonymous
What a wonderful time in our lives to seek faithfully to develop and perfect a heart/will that is fully functional and not at war against God’s will. Would it be a beautiful spiritual experience for each of us to discontinue the personal inner struggles with oneself by obtaining unity and harmony of our will, mind, spirit, and body?
Through the power of spiritual reformation of our hearts, each of us can experience God’s grace, Love, and mercy each day of our earthly journey. For those of us who are still alive, the greatest gift and promise that the Master taught is: Whoever finds his/her life will lose it, and whoever loses his/her life for my sake will find it. Matt. 10:39
Grace and Peace
Brother Alonzo