The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve." - Jeremiah 17:9-10
Dear Heavenly Father,
I hear so many voices telling me to follow my heart. To me that sounds pretty good, until I consider that my heart has often led to me to seek revenge, use sarcasm, gossip, lust and a few hundred other vices. Oh, how often I have deceived myself! You oh Lord, see every twisted thought in my heart and you understand its origin and motive. In this passage I hear your pure and frightening law. If it were not that I knew your grace also I would run from its light like a cock roach hiding from your presence. I am very thankful that you deal both honestly and graciously with me. You reserve the right to deal with me as my deeds deserve. That humbles and scares me. But you have chosen to make your law get in line behind your grace. You gave Jesus what my deeds deserved. Then you use your law to discipline and tame me. But your gospel is what enlivens and saves me. You are like my loving earthly father who always had a place for me in his heart and home but if I needed it, he would correct me, even sometimes severely. He would help me be honest with myself and everyone else. Help me see what you see about the deceit in my heart so I can be honest with myself, repent of it and live in the light of truth and grace.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
When we are honest with God and ourselves, everyone around us will be refreshed.