Not sure about you, but I can be pretty hard hearted at times. With part of my family, toughness was considered a desirable trait. They grew up in NYC and that is just the way one was. I toughened up to "fit in." Over the years, emotional hurts, losses...they all took their toll and my heart grew a thorny shell around it. Letting people, even God in or feeling too deeply became impossible because of the wall I put up. I'm trying to remedy now. I'm allowing the feelings to come, seeking God for the ability to pull up the roots of toughness and replace those hard rock places with His fertile soil.
So recently I was headed to a certain chapter in the Bible (I can't even remember where I was going lol), and I came to a page that I had a highlight on. Mark 3:5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by the hard hearts. Then He said to the man, "Hold our your hand." (Jesus was speaking to his enemies. He wanted to heal a man on the Sabbath and of course they were trying to trap Jesus into going against their law). Next to this passage I had written my short prayer, "Give me a soft heart."
So I continued in my search for the passage I was looking for and the next page I turned to had the answer to my short prayer above. (This was also a highlighted passage in my Bible, which is why I noticed both these passages.) This answer came in the words of Jesus to a leper who had come to Him for healing. The leper said to Jesus in Mark 1:40..."If You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean."
Jesus' reply was my answer as well. In verse 41, "Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him, "I am willing," He said, "Be healed!"
Amazing grace! What a wonderful Lord we serve. I was so elated, knowing that God had heard my prayer and desired to answer it in the affirmative. I know I am on my way to being healed of the wall I built, that He is tearing down my fortresses in order that I may glorify and serve Him better, and have a deeper, more intimate closeness with my Lord. I am thrilled with this prospect.
God may not always answer prayers the way we want Him to. He may not give us the winning lottery numbers, a new car, physical healing on earth, a promotion at work or the spouse we desire. He knows what is best for us in those situations, so "no" may be the answer He is giving. But He will always answer in the affirmative prayers that ask for a deeper relationship with Him. He will always answer our prayers to serve Him better. He will always answer our prayers that ask for growth in our walk with Him. Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. When we make the Lord our delight, we will ask for things according to His will. Our heart will desire what He desires.
I was so grateful to get this "instant answer" from Jesus. This Godvisit definitely made my heart soar.
Thank You Lord for giving me a heart that desires softness and a deep, abiding, on fire, intimate relationship with You. I am so grateful for these little visits, these small gems You give us each and everyday. Help us to look for them that we may be encouraged. And give us all soft hearts, passionate for what You are. Lord, life has knocked so many of us around and we've grown weary, maybe even calloused. Soften us, plow up the stony, hard soil of our hearts that we may be fruitful in Your kingdom. We love You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Pray for a heart that follows God.
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