Tag: Soft heart

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Immanuel

Forest

I will instruct you and show you the way to go;
with my eye on you, I will give counsel. (Psalm 32:8)

I was thinking on those words this morning.

It’s part of what Immanuel is all about.

God has his eye on me. Not an accusing eye. Not a suspicious eye, constantly doubtful of me. But a loving eye that desires to guide me on the right path.

The question, though, is not whether or not God is with me. The question is if I’m with God.

Or am I like that stubborn horse or mule that must be controlled by bit or bridle? (9)

This coming year, I want to be that trusting child, with an open heart and open ears to my loving Father.

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Luke Devotionals

An open ear, a soft heart

Soft heart, open ears

I don’t know this for sure, but I’ve felt for a long time that when Jesus prayed at his baptism, he probably prayed Psalm 40:6-8.

You…open my ears to listen…Then I said, “See, I have come; in the scroll it is written about me. I delight to do your will, my God…”

Why do I think he prayed that? Because the writer of Hebrews has Jesus praying that psalm. (Hebrews 10:5-7)

But whether he prayed that or not at his baptism, I think we can safely say that Jesus had open ears and a soft heart to God.

Those were things Herod didn’t have, especially when confronted with his sin. (Luke 3:19-20)

The people John baptized, on the other hand, came with open ears and a soft heart. And we see it in their response.

“What should we do?” (Luke 3:10, 12, 14)

That’s the question of open ears and a soft heart.

That’s the heart Jesus had.

That’s the kind of heart I want.

Is it the kind of heart you have?

Whenever we read or hear God’s word, let that be our response to him.

“What should I do? I delight to do your will.”

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Matthew Devotionals

When your words are hard

Jesus, sometimes your words are hard.

They were hard for the disciples when you talked about marriage.

They were hard for the rich young man when you told him to let go of what he held most dear in order to follow you.

Sometimes you say things that I don’t want to hear.

I don’t want to hear it because my heart is hard, and I would prefer to do things my way because my way is “easier.”

Or there are things in my life that I don’t want to let go of.

But when your words are hard, help me to remember that you are good.

When your words are hard, help me to remember your way is best.

And when your words are hard, help me to keep a soft heart, following you and your ways.

Because though your words may be hard, they are the words of life. (John 6:63, 68)

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Numbers Devotionals

Encouraging each other to trust and follow God

Numbers

…none of the men who have seen my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tested me these ten times and did not obey me, will ever see the land I swore to give their ancestors. None of those who have despised me will see it.

But since my servant Caleb has a different spirit and has remained loyal to me, I will bring him into the land where he has gone, and his descendants will inherit it. (Numbers 14:22-24)

It’s worth your time to read Hebrews 3 along with this passage, because there, the writer of Hebrews draws out the practical application of this story.

What is the practical application?

Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12)

That was the problem of most of the Israelites: an evil, unbelieving heart.

One that despised the Lord who had redeemed them from Egypt.

One that refused to trust him despite all he had done for them.

What kind of heart do we have?

A heart that is hardened to God? One that refuses to trust him?

Or one that is soft? Hearts like that of Joshua and Caleb, who not only trusted God, but urged their brothers and sisters around them to do the same.

It can be so easy to be deceived by sin.

It’s so easy to let our hearts be hardened.

That’s one reason why Christian fellowship is so important.

So let’s surround ourselves with Joshuas and Calebs. And may we ourselves be Joshuas and Calebs to those around us.

As the writer of Hebrews says,

But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. (Hebrews 3:13)

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2 Corinthians Devotionals

Examining ourselves

2 Corinthians

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.

Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! (2 Corinthians 13:5)

These are hard words. But I think it’s helpful to remember the context.

Some of the Corinthians, while claiming to be Christians, were rejecting God’s authority in their lives by rejecting Paul and were refusing to repent for their sin. (Chapters 10-12)

You cannot do these things, and claim to be a Christian.

True Christians may struggle with sin. But they will not reject God’s authority in their lives.

And when they sin, they don’t make excuses for it. Rather, they mourn over it. They repent. In short, they have a soft heart toward God.

Is that you?

If not, then you have to really question whether you’re truly a Christian.

But if that is you, then no matter your struggle with sins, you have nothing to worry about. Because God will never give up on you. What he has started in you, he will complete. (Philippians 1:6)

And though you are weak, though you may fall, the grace of the Lord Jesus, the love of the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit will be with you into eternity.

Let us rest each day in these things.   

Categories
Proverbs Devotionals

Our attitude to God’s Word

What is our attitude when we read the Bible?

Do we receive God’s word? Or do we reject those words we don’t like.

Do we treasure up God’s commandments in our hearts? Or do we throw them away as outdated?

Do we listen closely to God’s wisdom? Or do we shut our ears to it?

Do we incline our hearts to understanding? Or do we turn our hearts away from it?

Do we humbly call out to God for his insight? Or are we indifferent to what he has to say?

Do we lift our voice to God, asking for help when we don’t understand his word? Or are we silent in our ignorance?

Do we seek for it like silver? Or do we glance over it like a copper penny?

Do we search for it like hidden treasure? Or do we abandon it like yesterday’s trash.

God wants to give us his wisdom and understanding so that we can live a life of blessing.

The question is: “How much do we desire his wisdom and understanding?”

Lord, as I look at your word every day, open the eyes and ears of my heart. Help me to see, hear, and understand everything you want me to know.

Remove from me a stubborn heart of stone. Give me instead a soft heart that is receptive to you and your word. In Jesus’ name, amen.