The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
10 “I the LORD search the heart
and test the mind,
to give every man according to his ways,
according to the fruit of his deeds.”
Read any classic novel, from Frankenstein, Heart of Darkness, Crime and Punishment, to Lord of the Flies and you will see in 300 plus pages what Jeremiah says in 2 verses. That is, the Fall has injured the heart and God’s holiness convicts us of it. Many would have it that man can overcome these problems with government but multiple societies have committed mass atrocities to achieve their chosen virtue in the 20th century alone. Technology too, has been touted as the future peacemaker of mankind but so far it has only provided broader and more efficient delivery of death. The one conclusion that must be reached is the one most pushed away by society. It is a new idea. The heart is deceitful above al things.
This means that man needs a Savior, not ruling parties of people with deceitful hearts, nor technology with garbage inserted in by deceitful hearts, only to dispense garbage out into deceitful hearts. There is only one hope for mankind and verse 10 spells it out. We must acknowledge God as the light in a dark world. Because of his mercy, he did not completely destroy man in the flood, he provided an ark for Noah. Likewise, he does not leave us to our own devices to kill each other. He let his Son be killed on a cross instead. That is a classic story.
Dear Lord, thank you that you know man better than man does and have saved us. May we read your story of redemption and restoration today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church