The Thoughts of the Heart

The heart has always been interesting study. Mankind devotes much time to studying the heart: other's hearts, their own heart, and even the heart of God. But although much study is made, seldom do the conclusions vary. Aristotle declared the heart to be the "seat and source of sensation", Plato a place of songs and whispers, while renown poet Lord Byron stated simply "There is no instinct like that of the heart." But recent reading in Deuteronomy called to attention the stark contrast of the world's conclusions on the heart and God's portrayal of the heart.

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might. Deut 6:5

I found it interesting that the very first time the Hebrew word for heart is in Genesis 6:5 " every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." How true we know this to be. But even more interesting was the second reference to the heart, in the very next verse we read of the Lord's heart and the sensitiveness of His heart. "And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

How little we realize how tender the heart of God is... His is the pattern...we should keep our hearts to be more like His. We love to complain, cry, and pity the hurt we feel in our hearts, but do we ever think how He feels?

Here are a few of the verses I found that gave me a bit of a glimpse as to how God's heart feels.

"And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, ...." Gen 8:21

"...the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart..." 1 Sam 13:14

"And the LORD said unto him...I have hallowed this house...and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually." 1 Kings 9:3

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