The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Kings 8:39,
"... you [the Lord] alone know every human heart"
In Solomon's great prayer of dedication for the temple of the Lord he built, he confessed something rather important for us all to be aware of: the Lord knows "every human heart."
He knows us intimately, each and every one of us. Where we might even fool ourselves, he knows us better than we even know ourselves. Quite the sobering thought, isn't it?
We read in Hebrews 4:13, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." This includes our hearts, our inmost thoughts, all our actions, all our feelings, all the decisions we make and as well as all the things we do.
He actively searches our hearts. As Paul explains how the Holy Spirit brings our needs before our Father God, he says, "he [God] who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God."
This, of course, is quite unsettling to me. I'm not like the lily-white clad saints seen in the stained glass windows of your local church. I don't walk about with a halo uttering verbiage only heard amongst the ones wearing the raiment of those who have achieved a "sainthood" bestowed by some ecclesiastical organization. That is just not me.
I'd like to think I pass muster with the high standards of religious zealots. I'd like to think I have lived my life in the purity and the sanctity of those who deserve a place in heaven. But, that is not my case.
I'm a sinner and the Lord knows it. I have done those things I am ashamed of. I have done those things that would prevent me from ever having a hope for eternal life. And, the Lord knows each and every detail. He knows all of my thoughts... every last one of them! Yikes! He knows every passing emotion and feeling I have ever experienced and entertained. He knows every last thing I have ever done! He knows my heart through and through!
Were it not for the mercy of the Lord, I'd be toast. No hope of eternal life. As God is my judge, he knows every last detail of my terrible plight and in his love and kindness, he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for every one of those things that would keep me from his presence in eternity. Jesus Christ paid my penalty on my behalf and all God asked of me was to trust in his love for me! Astonishing!
"But he [the Servant of the Lord, Jesus Christ] was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all."
"... you [the Lord] alone know every human heart"
In Solomon's great prayer of dedication for the temple of the Lord he built, he confessed something rather important for us all to be aware of: the Lord knows "every human heart."
He knows us intimately, each and every one of us. Where we might even fool ourselves, he knows us better than we even know ourselves. Quite the sobering thought, isn't it?
We read in Hebrews 4:13, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." This includes our hearts, our inmost thoughts, all our actions, all our feelings, all the decisions we make and as well as all the things we do.
He actively searches our hearts. As Paul explains how the Holy Spirit brings our needs before our Father God, he says, "he [God] who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God."
This, of course, is quite unsettling to me. I'm not like the lily-white clad saints seen in the stained glass windows of your local church. I don't walk about with a halo uttering verbiage only heard amongst the ones wearing the raiment of those who have achieved a "sainthood" bestowed by some ecclesiastical organization. That is just not me.
I'd like to think I pass muster with the high standards of religious zealots. I'd like to think I have lived my life in the purity and the sanctity of those who deserve a place in heaven. But, that is not my case.
I'm a sinner and the Lord knows it. I have done those things I am ashamed of. I have done those things that would prevent me from ever having a hope for eternal life. And, the Lord knows each and every detail. He knows all of my thoughts... every last one of them! Yikes! He knows every passing emotion and feeling I have ever experienced and entertained. He knows every last thing I have ever done! He knows my heart through and through!
Were it not for the mercy of the Lord, I'd be toast. No hope of eternal life. As God is my judge, he knows every last detail of my terrible plight and in his love and kindness, he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for every one of those things that would keep me from his presence in eternity. Jesus Christ paid my penalty on my behalf and all God asked of me was to trust in his love for me! Astonishing!
"But he [the Servant of the Lord, Jesus Christ] was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all."
It won't be because the Lord is uninformed of my sinful state that will get me into heaven. He knows every detail! It is due to his love, his mercy, his kindness, that he has made a way for me by sending his Son to die on that cross on my behalf!
He has done so for you as well!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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