Discovering God’s Heart

Knowing what God’s Heart is like

References:

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?  And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. Matthew 18: 12‑14 NIV 

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10: 29‑31 NIV

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References:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. Psalms 116:5 NIV

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” Luke 4: 18‑19 NIV

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favour and honour; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. Psalms 84: 11‑12 NIV

 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? Matthew 7: 7‑10 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3: 16‑17 ESV

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 NIV

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3 NIV

By his own will he brought us into being through the word of truth, so that we should have first place among all his creatures. James 1:18 GNT

(Simply receiving His truth in our heart, even if struggling to comprehend it in our mind, causes us to become reconciled to his purposes and reborn by His spirit into our destiny of being among the crowning glory of all His creation.)

Therefore, rid yourselves of everything impure and every expression of wickedness, and with a gentle spirit welcome the word planted in you that can save your souls. James 1:21 ISV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV

The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit Psalm 34:18 NIV

For his anger is but for a moment, and his favour is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5 ESV

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Matthew 23:37 NASB

When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19: 41‑42 NASB

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 ESV

Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, He devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from Him. 2 Samuel 14:14 NIV

But now thus says the LORD who created you, Jacob,
and he who formed you, Israel:
"Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name. You are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned,
and the flame will not scorch you.
For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.
I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
Since you have been precious and honoured in my sight,
and I have loved you; therefore I will give people in your place, and nations instead of your life.
Do not be afraid; for I am with you.
I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west.” Isaiah 43: 1‑5 NHEB [GS1]

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour.
Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed. Proverbs 3: 1‑18 NIV

My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
they will be life for you an ornament to grace your neck.
Then you will go on your way in safety and your foot will not stumble.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
Do not say to your neighbour “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you” —
when you already have it with you.
Do not plot harm against your neighbour, who lives trustfully near you.
Do not accuse anyone for no reason — when they have done you no harm.
Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.
For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.
The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
He mocks proud mockers but shows favour to the humble and oppressed.
The wise inherit honour but fools get only shame. Proverbs 3: 21‑35 NIV

“Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant
I have made you, you are my servant;
Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me, for I have redeemed you.
Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, you earth beneath.
Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees,
for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel.
“This is what the Lord says — your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:
I am the Lord, the Maker of all things,
who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself,
who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners,
who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense,
who carries out the words of his servants and fulfils the predictions of his messengers,
who says of Jerusalem, ‘It shall be inhabited,’ of the towns of Judah, ‘They shall be rebuilt,’
and of their ruins, ‘I will restore them,’
who says to the watery deep, ‘Be dry, and I will dry up your streams,’
who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please;’
he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.”’ Isaiah 44: 21‑28 NIV

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(also often referred to by Jesus as ‘the Father’, ‘my Father’ or ‘your heavenly Father’)

References:

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. John 14:10 ESV

“I and the Father are one.” John 10:30 ESV

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26 NIV

Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:8 NIV

. . . the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. John 15:16 NRSV

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.  Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6: 35‑36 NIV

No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. John 16:27 NIV 

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Luke 10: 21‑22 ESV

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Various bible authors, writing across many years of human history, together contribute to a consistent message of HOPE about God’s plan, which is still unfolding, towards a restoration of this created world to its original perfection, and offering the pleasure he enjoys in living among his family of redeemed people. The scriptures convey how this ‘fallen’ earth came about as we followed our own self-will after succumbing to the enticement of God’s enemy, Satan, bringing a desire for autonomy, rather than God, in determining our own destiny and values. His deceptive influence has caused humanity to lose its original capacity for knowing the heart of God and connecting with him in his ‘unseen’ and eternal spirit realm.

The bible tells us the story of his persistence and patience in moving towards his plan for his whole creation to be restored according to his perfect will and purpose. In this present realm of time, we have been offered opportunity to become part of his eternal family by receiving what he has done for us, i.e., deemed to us a standard of integrity that we of ourselves cannot offer. It has come through a costly expression of his love in sending his own perfect son, Jesus, to live among us and to lay down his life on our behalf to pay the penalty for our shortcomings. Such is God’s compassion, mercy, grace and relentless love, even towards those underserving and unworthy.

Yet we retain a free will that tends to follow an earth-bound sense of being in command of our own fortunes and destiny, often overtaking any intuitive sense that we even are separated (from something lost to us), or that we indeed have a need for connection to, and an acknowledgement of, this unseen God of the eternal. This disconnect between ourselves and our Creator is described variously in the bible as ‘the fall’ or ‘the problem of sin’ which human history shows our own ingenuity has not been able to eliminate - despite having made significant advances in technology and achieved social reforms with regard to numbers of historically entrenched and controversial issues.

When we limit our reality to what we can humanly know and understand, we miss the fullness of God’s father heart towards us. By nature, we tend to follow our own ideas, or choose philosophies that we like. In relation to the existence of God, we tend to look for ‘evidence’ limited to knowledge from our own five senses, or arguments determined by reason and logic. However, it is to a seeking heart that God responds, which is where he says he is found, i.e., in a humble response to his invitation through a capacity for faith that he himself gifts to us.

References:

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue* it’. Genesis 1:28 NIV
*(I.e., be productive, resourceful, enterprising and innovative in collaboration with my purposes for the earth’s well-being and the fulfilment of its destiny.)

The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the children of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. Psalm 33: 13‑15 NASB

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us . . . Micah 7: 18‑19 NIV

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. Lamentations 3: 21‑25 ESV

Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.” Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands . . . Isaiah 49: 13‑16 NIV

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32 NIV

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He [Jesus] was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1: 9‑14 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. John 3: 16‑21 NIV

You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience; among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus; for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2: 1‑10 WEB

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