S – 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.” 

Jeremiah 17:9–10 ESV

O – Commentary:

The heart is deceitful more than anything else Refers to human thoughts and feelings. The Hebrew term for the heart metaphorically refers to a person’s inner life—the will, thoughts, motivations, and emotions. This is a different understanding than “heart” in modern Western thinking, which primarily indicates the seat of emotions.

Who can understand it? Only Yahweh understands the thoughts and motivations of His creation (Jer 17:10)

 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Je 17:9.

A – Combining both understandings of the heart is a good foundation to reference.  The will, thoughts, motivations and emotions are the things the Lord will examine and test.  As we align with God’s character, all of these have us growing more like God in a relationship.  Mechanical obedience would not test any of these because it would be indifferent.  True heart connection allows for the person to become more like God while remaining true to the unique qualities that God created in us.

R – Heavenly Father, you see and know all things.  We invite your searching and testing of our hearts today.  Not because we are one hundred percent.  We know we fall short.  Yet, we want to grow more like you and the searching will reveal the areas of growth we need today.