“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” (Jeremiah 24:7)

When the people of Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land, God reminded them of His commandments. The people would be able to follow them if they loved God with all their hearts. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-6) The problem with the people is that they had wandering hearts. After they entered the land, they were drawn to the false gods which the people of the land followed. Throughout the history of Israel, the people’s hearts were drawn away from God.

When the prophet Jeremiah saw the people’s heart turn away from God, he offered this complaint. “You are always righteous, LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts.” (Jeremiah 12:1-2) Jeremiah saw those who gave lip service to God, without being obedient, and yet they seem to prosper. He saw their actions and knew their hearts were far from God.

God did answer Jeremiah’s complaint with the announcement of judgment to come as the people would be taken captive and removed from the land. “I will forsake my house, abandon my inheritance; I will give the one I love into the hands of her enemies.” (Jeremiah 12:7) While judgment did come as the people were carried into Babylon.

Many times we also have the same complaint as Jeremiah when we see the wicked prosper. We see the results of the heart. Jesus said, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” (Matthew 15:19)

God does bring judgment, yet there is hope which comes to us from God. God said to Jeremiah concerning the exiles, “My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” (Jeremiah 24:6-7) It is with this hope God sent Jesus. Jesus took all our judgment; now God can dwell in our hearts, where He can give us a heart to know Him. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:15-17)

When we know God with our heart, He transforms us with peace, gratitude, wisdom, and action. Everything changes. When we love Him with our heart, we come to know His heart. With His heart, He sent to us Jesus. Jesus took our sin and provided us with life. A life which begins here and extends throughout eternity.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block