Chris Tomlin – Is He Worthy? (Live)

There are times when I worry that my heart could actually become hard and turn God away.

He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the Lord, the God of Israel. – 2 Chronicles 36:13  ESV

The “heart” is an unusual description of my emotions. Just like the word “love” the world has changed the meaning of the word “heart.” My heart is the core of my being – it is a mysterious and complex centre in my life where my longings, thinking, motivation and values reside. Out of my heart come my choices, behaviours and emotions. My heart was damaged and I thank God that He has changed it.

That is why I believe God wants to make sure that if our hearts do get hard, He has a way of softening them. As I read further in 2 Chronicles chapter 36 I see the exile was a way for that to happen.

The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy.  Therefore he brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or aged. He gave them all into his hand. – 2 Chronicles 36:15-17  ESV

God’s character shows up – holiness, goodness – and the discipline, the core of it was rooted in change and set eyes to the future and to restoration. Is it safe to say that the root of a disciple is discipline?

A hard heart represents a rebellious and sinful person who needs to repent. There are consequences of a hard heart. Some suggest that Old Testament is not relevant as it is the old covenant but look at the calls to repentance throughout the books there. If I forget God, disobey Him and worship anything else but Him my destruction is on me. To abuse grace is to not understand the need for repentance. The root of a disciple is discipline – so true.