Heart Of Harmony

When someone is described as being “TENDER HEARTED” it generally means the individual has a heart that is easily touched, allowing them to empathize (feel with) or at least sympathize (feel for) with whatever another is going through. This is a heart that allows one to “rejoice with those who rejoice” and “weep with those who weep”. ( Romans 12:15) Such a TENDER HEART is easily drawn toward others because it gives consideration to their life experiences and goes a long way toward creating harmony ( Romans 12:16) in the human experiences of life.

A TENDER HEART is a beautiful thing. As it is touched it brings the vision, thoughts, and hands together in reaching out to embrace those who need it most. It is an essence of the heart that lends well toward a life of service to others. It is also the heart God delights in seeing respond to Him.

During the reign of Josiah, as the temple was being repaired -- because the kings of Judah had let its buildings “go to ruin” ( 2 Chronicles 34:11 ESV) -- a discovery was made. The “Book of the Law of the LORD given through Moses” ( 2 Chronicles 34:14) had apparently been misplaced, but Hilkiah the priest found it as money that had been brought into the temple was being brought out. When Josiah had it read to him, he took to heart the commands and the warnings of God and that pleased Him.

In God’s message to Josiah we read. . .
“(26) ‘But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, (27) BECAUSE YOUR HEART WAS TENDER AND YOU HUMBLED YOURSELF BEFORE GOD WHEN YOU HEARD HIS WORDS against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. (28) Behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place and its inhabitants.’ And they brought back word to the king.” ( 2 Chronicles 34:26-28 ESV)

Oh, what a huge difference it would have made for the kingdoms of Judah and Israel if all the kings had possessed the TENDER HEART of Josiah. Though disaster was still to come because of the wickedness of God’s people, it was going to be different for Josiah. He would not have to see it or experience it himself.

As with Josiah, possessing such a TENDER HEART toward God’s Word will continually make a huge difference for us as well. Every time we open the Book, let us allow ourselves to be personally touched by what we read. Such a heart will draw us into harmony with God as we step forward to do His Will and continue to experience His blessings in life. May the reading and hearing of God’s Word always be a very moving experience in that being toward the fulfillment of His Desire and Will in and through us.

Have a great day KEEPING THE HEART HUMBLY OPEN TOWARD GOD!
Carl

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