“Hi. I am just checking in. How is your heart today?”

I heard this question recently to ask someone who is recovering from a broken heart.    Now the context I am sure was a dating relationship gone south.    But it is a good question in the broader context of everyday life.   You know, to someone living the “For man is born for trouble, As sparks fly upward”* kind of everyday life.

How is your heart today?

Is it overwhelmed by grief or disappointment?    Has it been rent by hateful words from those who should love you?    Is it fearful?

David has counsel for you… and me…

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 (NASB95)

And the Psalmist states…

He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3

Can God really do this?    Does He possess the kind of power to deal with our hearts?   

It should not be overlooked that the Psalmist continues…

He counts the number of the stars;
He gives names to all of them.
Psalm 147:4

How is your heart today?  

Do you suppose the One who counts the stars and has labeled them as His own is powerful enough to tenderly care for your heart issues?   Not only is He powerful enough, but as David expressed, He is near enough.  

But…let us ask a different question.    Are we speaking to our hearts?   Better, are we preaching to our hearts? Our hearts have plenty to say to us, and they are often screaming at us from pain, or fright.    And Beloved, our fears and pain have poor theology.  “God can’t”, or “God won’t”.

So rather than listening to our hearts, let us instead preach to our hearts.   

Remind our hearts that ..

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
“For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
Isaiah 43:2–3 (NASB95)

And prompt our hearts to…

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4–7 (NASB95)

So…I’m just checking in with you…and with me.   Not, “how are our hearts today”, but rather “have we preached to our hearts today?”    There is much great truth upon which our hearts should muse, and to rest upon.

Rod

S.D.G. – 10

*Job 5:7