The Heart of God

On Isa. 57:15 you can read: For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name [is] Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy [place], With him [who] has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Many times I was drawn to this portion of scripture through the years of walking with the Lord. I believe that is because the Lord uses His Word to give us hope and to teach us He can provide for all our needs.

Even though the Lord is holy and lives in a holy place (heaven) He cares for His creation, and specially for the human race. His eyes see everything and reaches as deep as the heart of men; is there where He desires to dwell.

The people of Israel in Isaiah's time were no different than us. On verse 17 we read the Lord said: I was enraged by his sinful greed; I punished him, and hid my face in anger, yet he kept on in his willful ways. Israel was looking after their own gain, they were oppressing their own people, give themselves to idolatry, not only to the pagan gods, but also made money their god.

Greed or covet is the selfish desire for or pursuit of money, wealth, power, food, or other possessions, especially when this denies the same goods to others. Wish, long, or crave for (something, especially the property of another person is another definition, in other words it can also be called envy. Greed of covetousness is a sin of the heart that displeases God. (Col 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Col 3:6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.)

Even though the Lord sees the heart of His people(Israel),their sin, the desire of the heart of God is to have fellowship with them. Isa 57:16 I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry, for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me-- the breath of man that I have created. Isa 57:18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him,

God has decided not to stay angry, but to show mercy and Grace. He sees our ways, or moral character, habits, the direction of our lives, which many times is not what He wants for us, but he decides, "I will heal","I will guide", and "restore comfort".

I love when I read in Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, Luke 4:19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." and on verse 21 Jesus said: "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Yes, the Lord is merciful, He extends His Grace to us, through Jesus, the only way to God, He restores us to be at peace with Him. He wants to revive us, give us a new life, to revive our spirit and our hearts.

This is the heart of God in His own word, Exodus 34:6 reads: "He passed in front of Moses and said, "I am the LORD, I am the LORD, the merciful and gracious God. I am slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness."

Jesus said,"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."( Jhn 15:13 ), He (Jesus) is the ultimate example of the Heart of God, Love.

Paul wrote in Eph 3:17-19: so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18. may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19. and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

When I meditate on the Love of God, I can only picture the cross:
His Love is as higher as heaven where He dwells, but came to earth to reach us, the width of His love extends from the East to the West (is infinite,as Jesus arms were extended on the cross), and is so deep that reaches the heart of men (bringing healing to our souls).

As a Christian I like to share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus with everyone. Read more articles by Edith A. Lee at Finding Life in Him