Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law.  Pslam 119:70

My heart can get hard, unpliable, unable to open to God and other people.  I can be cold, uncaring, insensitive, self-protective and cynical.

When I think of a tender heart I think of compassion, tenderness, sensitivity, kindness.

The pslamist gives me an insight I need into keeping my heart tender and open. The answer is God’s Word.  When I pray and read the Bible I find it reveals to me the true condition of my heart. It pierces through the hardness I have let develop around my heart like the oil that hardens on green beans in the fridge.

The Word of God cuts through my motives, my justifying my behavior, and allows my spirit to breath into my life.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Heb. 4:12

This is why we need to daily infuse our lives with penetrating power of God’s Word.  We need to invite God to reveal Himself and reveal our hearts through the pages of scripture.  I love Psalm 119, the longest Psalm, it is filled with truth about walking with God, overcoming temptation, and reflecting God’s love to others.

I encourage you to read this Psalm and ask God to speak to you through His Word.  Allow it to cut deep through any hardness or callouness that has developed. 

Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12