Topical Bible: The Heart: God: Ponders

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In the biblical context, the heart is often seen as the center of human emotions, thoughts, and intentions. It is not merely a physical organ but a metaphorical representation of the inner life of a person. The heart is where decisions are made, desires are formed, and faith is nurtured. In Scripture, God is frequently depicted as one who examines and understands the heart, discerning the true nature of human beings beyond outward appearances.

God's Omniscience and the Heart

The Bible affirms that God possesses complete knowledge of the human heart. In 1 Samuel 16:7, the LORD tells Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." This passage highlights God's ability to look beyond external factors and perceive the true character and intentions of individuals.

God's Examination of the Heart

God's examination of the heart is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. In Jeremiah 17:10, the LORD declares, "I, the LORD, search the heart; I test the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve." This verse underscores the idea that God not only observes human actions but also evaluates the motivations and intentions behind them. The heart is the seat of moral and spiritual life, and God’s scrutiny ensures that justice is administered based on the true state of a person’s inner being.

The Heart's Condition and God's Response

The condition of the heart is of paramount importance to God. Proverbs 21:2 states, "All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart." This suggests that while humans may justify their actions, God assesses the heart's sincerity and righteousness. The heart's condition can either draw one closer to God or lead one astray. In Psalm 139:23-24, David prays, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." This prayer reflects a desire for God’s guidance and purification of the heart.

God's Desire for a Pure Heart

God desires a pure and contrite heart, as seen in Psalm 51:10, where David pleads, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." A pure heart is one that is aligned with God’s will, free from deceit and malice. In Matthew 5:8, Jesus teaches, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." This beatitude emphasizes the importance of inner purity as a prerequisite for experiencing God’s presence.

The Heart's Role in Faith and Obedience

The heart plays a crucial role in faith and obedience to God. Romans 10:10 states, "For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved." Faith originates in the heart, leading to justification and salvation. Furthermore, Deuteronomy 6:5 commands, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This commandment underscores the heart's central role in loving and serving God wholeheartedly.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of the heart as the core of human existence highlights its significance in the relationship between God and humanity. God’s ability to ponder the heart reveals His intimate knowledge of each person, calling for sincerity, purity, and devotion in the believer’s life.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 21:2
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD ponders the hearts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 24:12
If you say, Behold, we knew it not; does not he that ponders the heart consider it? and he that keeps your soul, does not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

That the Union of Our Will with the Good-Pleasure of God Takes ...
... He ponders, Theotimus, that it was from the hand of God that he ... the heart, that it
troubles the attention which the heart should pay to the will of God. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ii that the union.htm

The Endless Quest
... more and more be drawn out as he ponders and asks ... and more and more move, and humble,
and break his heart. And God will, to a certainty, reward that man, that ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xxiii the endless quest.htm

How Love Makes Use of Natural, Servile and Mercenary Fear.
... Theotimus, strike with an extreme dread the heart that deeply ponders them ... ear could
hear, or if it could enter into the heart of man what God hath prepared ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xviii how love makes.htm

A Word in the Prayer.
... The mind dwells lovingly on His parables, ponders deeply His ... mind" which remains,
"even in the heart of the regenerate," is "enmity against God." There is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter i a word in.htm

Conversion --Varied Phenomena or Experience.
... When God's Word comes to such an one, it does not ... hears it, carries it home, weighs
it, ponders it, and ... slowly, his mind is enlightened, his heart is interested ...
/.../chapter xix conversionvaried phenomena or.htm

What I Think of Myself and what God Thinks of Me
... God does not go from without, as it were, inwards; from our actions to estimate
our characters; but He ... He weighs, ponders, penetrates to the heart of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/what i think of myself.htm

Evening Prayer an Evening Thanksgiving.
... Sink not yet, my soul, to slumber,. Wake, my heart, go forth and tell. ... That this
by-gone day befell; Tell how God hath kept afar. ... Yes, our wisdom vainly ponders,. ...
/.../evening prayer an evening thanksgiving.htm

The House of Zacharias.
... opportunity to despoil the national glory and corrupt the heart of the ... counts on
the indwelling of the Son of God by faith, and which ponders deeply over ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/ii the house of zacharias.htm

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," &C.
... this kingdom of God entered into your heart, if ye ... ye choose to "seek first the kingdom
of God and his ... But who seriously ponders these things till their minds ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xviii but seek ye.htm

The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him. ...
... and, at the farthest, thinks and ponders on nothing ... in Scripture of the secret
providence of God was never so completely effaced from the human heart, as that ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 the world created.htm