Through the Bible - Isaiah 43-44, Mark 11:1-18
Good morning,
The sobering thing about yesterday's passage and it's comparison between the shrub in the desert and the tree planted by the stream is that it is the choice of our hearts where we dwell. For today's verse we'll return to the same passage.
Jer 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
10 I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings. NKJV
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
10 I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings. NKJV
Verse 9 is often "lifted" out of the passage as a stand alone verse. It is often used to describe the heart of one that is deceitful towards others. The reality of it is that before it will be displayed towards others, it will be used towards ourselves. We deceive ourselves into thinking that "envy, the pride of life, and the lust of the flesh" which are disguised as things, the stuff that this world has to offer that will bring happiness to our lives. When you think about it, when does the rat race lead to joy, rest, and peace?
Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3:11 said that "God has placed eternity into man's heart". Augustine wrote "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you."
Jer 6:16 This is what the Lord says:
"Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, 'We will not walk in it.' NIV
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, 'We will not walk in it.' NIV
Perhaps you feel that you are at a crossroad in your life. Where will your heart lead you? Don't be deceived, hear Him when He calls.
Matt 11:28 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." NLT
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Jer 17:5-11
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Jer 17:5-11
5 Thus says the Lord:
"Cursed is the man who trusts in man
and makes flesh his strength,
whose heart turns away from the Lord.
6 He is like a shrub in the desert,
and shall not see any good come.
He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,
in an uninhabited salt land.
and makes flesh his strength,
whose heart turns away from the Lord.
6 He is like a shrub in the desert,
and shall not see any good come.
He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,
in an uninhabited salt land.
7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
8 He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit."
whose trust is the Lord.
8 He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit."
9 The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
10 "I the Lord search the heart
and test the mind,
to give every man according to his ways,
according to the fruit of his deeds." ESV
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
10 "I the Lord search the heart
and test the mind,
to give every man according to his ways,
according to the fruit of his deeds." ESV
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