God’s Truth for Trying Times - 9/4/20

We need God’s truth in trying times. Read the Scripture passage, think about what it is saying, then pray; by yourself or with your household. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16).

READ: ‬‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17:9-10‬

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.””
‭‭(Jeremiah‬ ‭17:9-10‬)

CONSIDER: When we read that the "heart" is deceitful and wicked and sick in a way that necessitates help outside itself, we understand. We cannot make ourselves spiritually alive and we cannot fix our brokenness. Our spiritual need resonates with us. It hits home. And we know it's not our physical heart that's being spoken of, it's the inner, unseen part of us that knows right and wrong, the part of us that loves God or hates him, the part of us that feels and thinks and chooses to do things. And it is of immense comfort when God intervenes in speaks. He tells us that he knows us. And while it might be frightening to know that he will judge, it is also him that will bring new life. To the repentance, to the believing, to the one who yields to his working, he renews and transforms. It is absolutely true that we will be repaid according to our ways, and if our ways are pleasing to the Lord, it is because God took the initiative to draw us to himself and make us his own, thereby enabling us and inspiring us to want to do what pleases him. The believer's heart is full of gratitude towards Almighty God who is so full of grace and mercy towards us.

THINK: What does this declare about God? What are God’s people being called to do? What assurance is given? How does the Word of God transform our hearts and lives and relationships?