“The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]? I the Lord search the mind, I try the heart, even to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”
Jeremiah 17:9-10 AMPC
Grace Perspective:
This passage of scripture is unapologetic in God’s assessment of our hearts. Yet gracious salvation is offered to those who humbly acknowledge that apart from Christ, there is nothing good in us. Romans 7:18, 24-25a says,
“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of good is not…Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Death was the penalty for our sin, but in Christ Jesus, we are set free. Our part is receiving the grace that Christ died upon the cross to give. Today, ask the Lord to graciously search your heart and test your mind to see where you stand. Healing for hearts that are sick is offered to those who seek Him.
A Touch of Grace:
What is your heart struggling with today?
What does it mean to allow God to try your heart?
Grace Application:
Asking the Lord to search our hearts is terrifying! I know just how awful my thoughts are and that my heart can easily lead me down dark paths. The number of times I try to write the script of how I want, often demand, life to be. The frequency of thoughts that are ungrateful and unloving, prideful and stubborn. Yet there is grace for this too.
God wants us to ask Him to examine our hearts. Psalm 139: 23- 24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” He knows our hearts intimately and still desires our friendship. Such grace! He wants to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and create in us a clean heart. The way to start the cleansing process is by confessing and repenting of our sin. He will graciously search our hearts, and when we ask, He will cleanse them and help us set our hearts on loving Him.
Prayer:
Gracious Father, cleanse me and give me a heart filled with Your truth. You alone know the depths of my struggles. You have designed them to show me that, apart from Christ, there is nothing good within me. Yet, You want me to call on You. Like the Psalmist, may I appeal, “Let my cry come before You, O LORD; Give me understanding according to Your word. Let my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your word. Let my lips utter praise, for You teach me Your statutes. Let my tongue sing of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous. Let Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts. I long for Your salvation, O LORD, and Your law is my delight. Let my soul live that it may praise You, and let Your ordinances help me.” (Psalm 119:169-175) In the precious name of Jesus Christ our Savior, Amen
**Today, as you read this, I pray each of you will know for sure you are in Christ Jesus. If you have any doubts, please call out to God so that all doubt may be erased. Today is a good day to be assured of salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, please contact me at graceisdawning@gmail.com**