"Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD—
how much more the hearts of men!" Pro. 15:11 NIV
Earlier last month, I came accross this verse as I was working my way through the book of Proverbs. As I read it, it just hit me that God knows our hearts--our deepest emotions--and yet how often do I try to cover them up while I pray? How often do I forget?--since God created and patented emotions, He probably knows their depths and range better then anyone else, including me! Why do I not lay open my heart before God?
I think that sometimes the answer is that I am afraid to fully realize the truth of God's omniscience. After all, if my heart is open before God, then not only does that include the good emotions, but also the bad ones. God aware of every positive feeling I experience--every moment and thought of happiness, joy, compassion, love, kindness, hope, pity, humility and more. However, God also knows every negative emotion I feel--all the bad and ugly ones. Anger and hatred, greed and selfishness, arrogence and pride, fear, lust, despair and sadness and everything else that enters into my head. God knows all of that--so why should I try to hide it from Him? Why do I try to keep it from Him, when He has always known about it? I know what I need to do--surrender my emotions to His will and power, but why can't I just tell God what I'm feeling?
Sure, one might say that I don't need to, since God already knows my emotions and anything that might happen with them. But how then can I learn to trust God, if I do not entrust Him with my heart? How can I grow in my love of God if I do not give my love to Him? Lord, I pray that I would realize just how much you know about me--everything, including my emotions--and that I would always remember that my heart is open before you, like a book. I pray that You would not just teach me this truth, but that You would also help me to apply it to my everyday life. Amen.
how much more the hearts of men!" Pro. 15:11 NIV
Earlier last month, I came accross this verse as I was working my way through the book of Proverbs. As I read it, it just hit me that God knows our hearts--our deepest emotions--and yet how often do I try to cover them up while I pray? How often do I forget?--since God created and patented emotions, He probably knows their depths and range better then anyone else, including me! Why do I not lay open my heart before God?
I think that sometimes the answer is that I am afraid to fully realize the truth of God's omniscience. After all, if my heart is open before God, then not only does that include the good emotions, but also the bad ones. God aware of every positive feeling I experience--every moment and thought of happiness, joy, compassion, love, kindness, hope, pity, humility and more. However, God also knows every negative emotion I feel--all the bad and ugly ones. Anger and hatred, greed and selfishness, arrogence and pride, fear, lust, despair and sadness and everything else that enters into my head. God knows all of that--so why should I try to hide it from Him? Why do I try to keep it from Him, when He has always known about it? I know what I need to do--surrender my emotions to His will and power, but why can't I just tell God what I'm feeling?
Sure, one might say that I don't need to, since God already knows my emotions and anything that might happen with them. But how then can I learn to trust God, if I do not entrust Him with my heart? How can I grow in my love of God if I do not give my love to Him? Lord, I pray that I would realize just how much you know about me--everything, including my emotions--and that I would always remember that my heart is open before you, like a book. I pray that You would not just teach me this truth, but that You would also help me to apply it to my everyday life. Amen.
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