The Heart

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 ways, and according to the fruits of his doings. Jeremiah 27:9-10

It is folly to trust in man, for he is not only frail, but false and deceitful. We are apt to think that we trust in God and are entitled to the blessings here promised to those who do so. But this is a thing about which our own hearts deceive us as much as anything. We think that we trust in God when really we do not, as appears by this, that our hopes and fears rise or fall according as second causes smile or frown.

There is that wickedness in our hearts which we ourselves are not aware of and do not suspect to be there; it is a common mistake among the children of men to think themselves, their own hearts at least, a great deal better than they really are.

The heart, the conscience of man, in his corrupt and fallen state is deceitful above all things. It calls evil good and good evil, puts false colours upon things, and cries peace to those to whom peace does not belong.

Such is the deceitfulness of the heart that we may truly say, Who can know it? Who can describe how bad the heart is? We cannot know our own hearts, not what they will do in an hour of temptation. (Remember Peter)

But whatever wickedness there is in the heart God sees it, and knows, is perfectly acquainted with it and apprised of it! I the Lord search the heart. This is true of all that is in the heart, all the thoughts of it, the quickest, and those that are most carelessly overlooked by ourselves--all the intents of it, the closest, and those that are most artfully disguised, and industriously concealed from others.

God observes and discerns them; and (which is more than man can do) He judges of the overt act by the heart. God knows more evil of us than we do of ourselves, which is a good reason why we should not flatter ourselves, but always stand in awe of the judgment of God. (Matthew Henry)

I'm glad for God's grace that covers me; the heart doesn't consist of the muscle that is pumping blood through our veins. Our heart is our conscience--the essence of who we are as a person. I find that it is true what Matthew Henry said that we think we trust God; but when hard times hit--our faith waivers.

This explains why just when I think things are under control; I say or do something that seems to come from out of the blue. Peter walked with Christ, declared his love for him and days later denied Him not once--but three times. Knowing that Christ literally sees everything there is within me; things I'm not aware of, gives me comfort and peace.

Looking Glass: Today we are taking a field trip to see Disney on Ice! I'm more excited than the kids! This is part of our school improvement plan to try and give these children experiences outside of the projects.