Receptive Heart
“Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord” (NKJV) 2 Chronicles 34:27
Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 34
Modernization and challenges of the current world are making many people heartless. Our hearts are not committed to God and the welfare of fellow humans. The heart is the centre of all activities that are undertaken by mankind. The heart as used in scripture is the most comprehensive part of our being where we desire, decide and deliberate issues. It has been described as the place of conscious and decisive spiritual activity. God expects His children to have tender and receptive hearts.
Receptive hearts are always willing to accept and accommodate what is right and acceptable before God and man. Receptive hearts are touched by the concerns of others; share and feel the pain of others and reach out to help. Receptive and tender hearts are not just soft, they are strong enough to bear the problems of others. Receptive hearts are not just gentle, but they are mighty in handling the challenges before them. Tender hearts are not just caring, but courageous in doing what needs to be done. We need a heart like King Josiah; a heart pleasing to God and helpful to men.
A receptive heart willingly and carefully listens to God, trembles and readily allows the seed (word of God) to grow in it (Isaiah 66:2). It respects God’s word and listens to others irrespective of their class in society (Psalm 119:161). Receptive hearts are always humble and not proud before God and man.
This morning, I will encourage you to go before God with a receptive and tender heart like that of King Josiah. Our God dwells within receptive and humble hearts and listens to such people (Isaiah 57:15, Psalm 51:17). Open your heart for the Lord today.