Rend your heart

And we wake up to the first day of another month.  It’s February and it’s all about hearts and love–everywhere.

Throughout the Holy Bible (KJV) the word heart is mentioned 884 times–the first being early in the book of Genesis.  And sadly–within six chapters of God’s story–man and woman broke God’s heart.  His own creation–made in His image–created for friendship–for love and that love broke God’s heart.

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Genesis 6:5-6

And the story continues and in the next verse of the chapter, God plans to destroy all His creation–everything.  But there was one man who changed God’s plan.  One man.

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:8

The prophet Joel wrote,  “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteh him of the evil.” Joel 2:13

In the Old Testament the rending of garments was a sign of a broken heart, mourning, sadness.  But Joel challenges us to rend our hearts, break them open wide and allow God to come into our hearts–give God our whole heart and receive His grace, His mercy, His kindness.  Like Noah did. There are no perfect hearts–Noah’s heart was certainly not perfect, but his heart was open to God’s love and the willingness to listen and obey God’s word–His plan. That is all God asked from us–an open heart. No matter how many holes–how many scars–how many cracks–how many breaks–He asks for our hearts. And He’ll take care of the rest.

So this heart month–the one month of the year when hearts are seen in abundance, let’s challenge ourselves to rend our own hearts.  Break down the walls–open our hearts to loving others as God loved us–pray that God will allow us to see more deeply the need and hurt of others and act upon those needs.  And more than anything, love Him as He loves us–with a fullness of our hearts.

Reading the story of the creation of God–at the end of each day–the verse ends, “And God saw that it was good.”  Until the sixth day–the last day before He rested and on this day, he made man and woman and it was good–very good, “And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:31

And after Adam and Eve sinned and hid from God–broke God’s heart–God never turned His heart away from them.  He did the opposite. He came seeking them in the garden.  And even though there were consequences for their sins, troubles and trials–God never closed His heart on them. He continued to care and provide and love.

Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.  Genesis 3:21

Through God’s help and much prayer, I will be sharing “Rend Your Heart” weekly and daily Bible verses and devotionals during the month of February.  I pray the daily and weekly Bible verses and devotionals will bless you in a small way and challenge you to rend your heart.  You can follow along with the blog by signing up for daily emails on the home page of a beautiful grace or follow on a beautiful grace Facebook page. 

To God be all the praise and glory. 

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. Psalm 9:1 

All scripture references are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible and photos and writings are copyright of a beautful grace.