“Lord, you know everyone’s heart…” Acts 1:24
Heavenly Father, there are so many things attributed to you in the Scriptures that are clearly NOT our domain. Heart-knowing (kardiognosta) is one of them. I may be drawn, offended, concerned, fearful, confused, or broken over someone’s heart… but only you really, really knows what’s in the heart of each of us.
That’s why I gladly pray during this season of Lent, “Search me, O God, and know my heart…” (Psalm 139:23), for I dare not trust my own diagnosis. Sometimes I think of myself much more highly than I ought-so wanting to believe I’m a whole lot more like Jesus than reality affirms. Sometimes I fall into shame and contempt, and act like a Savior-less, gospel-less orphan… without a Father above and without your Spirit within. Sometimes I just think about me too much, period.
But here’s my hope, my sure and only hope, blessed Father. You’ve already sprinkled clean water on me and declared me to be clean. You’ve already cleansed me from all my impurities and from my idols, through the work of Jesus. You’ve already given me a new heart and placed your Spirit in me. You’re already removed my heart of stone and have given me a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:24-27). You will bring to completion the good work you’ve begun in my heart, my whole being… in all of creation. (Phil. 1:6). I’m a justified sinner destined to be a glorified son (Romans 8:30). O, how I praise you for such peace and assurance…
So Father, in light of all of this, I’ll not pretend to know what’s really in the heart of anybody else-my spouse, my kids, my friends, my enemies, cultural icons, fallen sports heroes… or anyone else. You haven’t called me to be a spiritual cardiologist. Only you are the Heart-Knower. Give me grace to love others as you love me in Jesus, and it will be enough. So very Amen, I pray, in Jesus’ heart-transforming name.