The Response of a Tender Heart
"But as for the king of Judah...because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the LORD." (2 Chron. 34:26-27)
There is nothing more precious to the Lord than a heart that is soft and tender and that is inclined toward pleasing Him. The Lord does not focus on the externalities of the way things might appear nor does He focus on the material things that will grow old and cannot be carried into eternity.
The Scriptures tell us that "the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." (2 Chron. 16:9). The Lord resists the proud but He gives gives grace to the humble and seeks to honor those who honor Him.
In the days of the kings of Israel and Judah, there were many kings who went in the way of the world and their hearts grew hard and rebellious as they led the people to turn away from God and to worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator. Whenever the heart is not drawn to trust and please God, everything moves toward spiritual decline from there.
Proverbs 30:11-14 says,
"There is a generation that curses its father, And does not bless its mother.
There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness.
There is a generation— oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up.
There is a generation whose teeth are like swords,And whose fangs are like knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, And the needy from among men."
...Doesn't this accurately describes the generation that exists in our culture today?
Despite all the blessings and great things God has accomplished for us, far too many are like sheep continually going astray. Far too many are turning aside to their own ways. But God sees those hearts that are humble before Him and that will not bow the knee to an idol or a rival throne.
Jesus is always moved with compassion for the weary and scattered sheep. "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit" (Psalm 34:18)
King Josiah was such a man. Even from his youth, he learned the ways of David and had a heart that went after pleasing God. He sought to breakdown every rival throne and high place that could lead to false worship.
During his reign, Hilkiah, the high priest, went into the temple and found a scroll with the Law of God. When it was brought before King Josiah and he heard the words of the Law, his heart melted and he became fully aware of how far their people had strayed from God. He understood what Deuteronomy 28:15 says,
"But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you."
This is why another Proverb that says, "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23)
Josiah's obedient lifestyle and humble response after hearing God's Word revealed the kind of heart that he possessed and serves as an example for us to follow after:
In any given situation, the person who has a tender heart will come out with God's favor and blessing. Those with a tender heart will be sensitive to the leading of God's Spirit and seeks to bring healing and hope to those around them.
It would take God's mercy and favor to restore God's people but Josiah was willing to do whatever took to see reformation in his day. He even gathered all the people together to stand and hear the Word of God and to diligently serve the Lord. O that we would have more Josiahs in our day!
Ask God to tenderize your heart that it might be soft like clay for the Master Potter to have His way in and through you during this season. Although some may seek to take advantage of those with a good heart, many more will certainly be blessed by the blessed life you lead.
1 Peter 3:8-12 says, "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For 'He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers...'"
There is nothing more precious to the Lord than a heart that is soft and tender and that is inclined toward pleasing Him. The Lord does not focus on the externalities of the way things might appear nor does He focus on the material things that will grow old and cannot be carried into eternity.
The Scriptures tell us that "the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." (2 Chron. 16:9). The Lord resists the proud but He gives gives grace to the humble and seeks to honor those who honor Him.
In the days of the kings of Israel and Judah, there were many kings who went in the way of the world and their hearts grew hard and rebellious as they led the people to turn away from God and to worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator. Whenever the heart is not drawn to trust and please God, everything moves toward spiritual decline from there.
Proverbs 30:11-14 says,
"There is a generation that curses its father, And does not bless its mother.
There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness.
There is a generation— oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up.
There is a generation whose teeth are like swords,And whose fangs are like knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, And the needy from among men."
...Doesn't this accurately describes the generation that exists in our culture today?
Despite all the blessings and great things God has accomplished for us, far too many are like sheep continually going astray. Far too many are turning aside to their own ways. But God sees those hearts that are humble before Him and that will not bow the knee to an idol or a rival throne.
Jesus is always moved with compassion for the weary and scattered sheep. "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit" (Psalm 34:18)
King Josiah was such a man. Even from his youth, he learned the ways of David and had a heart that went after pleasing God. He sought to breakdown every rival throne and high place that could lead to false worship.
During his reign, Hilkiah, the high priest, went into the temple and found a scroll with the Law of God. When it was brought before King Josiah and he heard the words of the Law, his heart melted and he became fully aware of how far their people had strayed from God. He understood what Deuteronomy 28:15 says,
"But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you."
This is why another Proverb that says, "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23)
Josiah's obedient lifestyle and humble response after hearing God's Word revealed the kind of heart that he possessed and serves as an example for us to follow after:
- A REVERENT heart for true worship...toward God's Glory!
- A RECEPTIVE heart for ready obedience...toward God’s Word!
- A REPENTANT heart for pure living...toward God’s Ways!
- A RESPECTFUL heart for shared faith...toward God’s People!
- A REVIVED heart for unified reformation...toward God's House!
In any given situation, the person who has a tender heart will come out with God's favor and blessing. Those with a tender heart will be sensitive to the leading of God's Spirit and seeks to bring healing and hope to those around them.
It would take God's mercy and favor to restore God's people but Josiah was willing to do whatever took to see reformation in his day. He even gathered all the people together to stand and hear the Word of God and to diligently serve the Lord. O that we would have more Josiahs in our day!
Ask God to tenderize your heart that it might be soft like clay for the Master Potter to have His way in and through you during this season. Although some may seek to take advantage of those with a good heart, many more will certainly be blessed by the blessed life you lead.
1 Peter 3:8-12 says, "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For 'He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers...'"
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