How is Your Heart?
Jeremiah 17:9-10, "The heart is deceitful above all things. and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his way and according to the fruit of his doings."
In verse 9 the truth is taught about the human heart (soul) and that is it is deceitful (supplanting) above all things, and incurably wicked. Therefore, outside of God and His Word who could know its real condition or state. Barnes' Notes on the Bible states, “…man's heart is incapable of seeing things in a straightforward manner but is full of shrewd guile, and ever seeking to overreach others." You see the man who is blessed is the man who trusts in God rather than in himself. Jeremiah 17:7, "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. The man who isn't blessed is described in Jeremiah 17:5, "...Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD."
The answer to the question in verse 9, "who can know it?" Who can know the condition of the human heart? ONLY GOD CAN! Like a cardiologist verse 10 states, "I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins (mind or inward thoughts)." Do you see now why the man who is blessed is the man described in Jeremiah 17:7 rather than the man described in Jeremiah 17:5? "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is."
Oh, that we will be people who trust in the LORD. And may we help others in their wayward lives to do the same!
Have a great day trusting in the Lord.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. When was the last time you trusted your heart and it deceived you?
2. Why is it difficult to lean upon God and His understanding when making decisions?
3. Are there any influences in your life that are ungodly? What do you need to do to rid yourself of these influences?