“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:9-10

What does it mean to have a pure heart? The bible tells us that “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8. The heart represents our desires and affections, and purity of the heart comes from the regeneration and cleansing of the inward man by God’s amazing grace through Jesus Christ our Lord. The same words hold true for us, that He spoke to Nicodemus… “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:7.

The matters of our hearts seem to be simply enough, right? But the bible tells us in Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” As much as we think we know, we really do not know the deepest intent of our very own hearts! Someone once said that there is good in the worst of us, and bad in the best of us. So, where do we turn to walk this journey of faith in humble submission to God?

In the very next verse, the prophet Jeremiah gives the answer; “I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:10. God in His omniscience is the only one who can search the heart; the inward parts of it, every room and corner in it; and He knows the thoughts of it; all its intents, purposes, designs, contrivances, and imaginations; all the secret motions of it, and the wickedness that is in it as well.

It brings home the fact that our steps are ordered by the Lord. Therefore, it must be with fervent prayer and obedience that we seek to do His will. The Lord tries our hearts, whether they are towards him or not; and whether sincere or hypocritical; Christ who is our omniscient God knew Peter’s love for him, and the sincerity of his heart, John 21:17 state “He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” Let us make no mistake, we can fool lots of people; but God knows everything there is to know about us and we will all give and account before Him one day.

Our hope and trust must lie in God, and when our hearts are open and hunger for Him, He will guide us with His divine counsel; we can experience the manifestations of His grace, glory, and spiritual filling; and one day we will see Him face to face in heaven. “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12.

Praise God that He gives us all that we need to run this race in victory; we are lovingly kept by our comforter, the Holy Spirit, who intercedes for us according to the will of God. . . “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:27.

Blessings and peace; let us place all our trust in God, He knows our hearts!