The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, So is he who gets riches, but not by right; It will leave him in the midst of his days, And at his end he will be a fool. A glorious high throne from the beginning Is the place of our sanctuary. Lord, you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water. Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. They keep saying to me, “Where is the word of the Lord? Let it now be fulfilled!” I have not run away from being your shepherd; you know I have not desired the day of despair. What passes my lips is open before you. Do not be a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster. Let my persecutors be put to shame, but keep me from shame; let them be terrified, but keep me from terror. Bring on them the day of disaster; destroy them with double destruction.
Jeremiah 17:9-18

~~~~~

The Cold of the Heart
By Jennifer Kane

Like a cold, deceit begins subtly,
a tickle in the throat,
a quiet irritation—
until it swells, unavoidable,
spreading into every breath.

Diagnosis reveals the truth,
congestion of thoughts,
fever of desires,
the fatigue of carrying
what cannot be hidden.

God searches deeper,
laying bare the sickness beneath.

A cold leaves us unproductive,
our efforts slipping away,
like brooding over eggs
that will not hatch.

Riches gained unjustly
leave the hands as empty
as the heart trusting
in fragile, fleeting health.

In the midst of weakness,
we seek the warmth of refuge.

Comfort lies in rest,
but true peace dwells
in the high throne of sanctuary,
the source of strength
when we falter.

Dehydration deepens the ache,
drying the body’s cries for relief.

So too, forsaking the spring
of living water
drains the soul,
leaving it parched
and desolate.

We long for healing,
to breathe freely again,
to rise restored.

God, the ultimate healer,
answers both body and spirit,
mending what we cannot.

Relentless, the cold pursues,
an enemy in the lungs,
an unyielding ache.

Yet even in discomfort,
God is our refuge,
His presence a shield
for the vulnerable.

And when misery compounds,
escalates, overwhelms—
when sickness turns to despair—
God offers what the world cannot:
a sanctuary eternal,
a healing beyond separation,
a hope that outlasts the storm.

~~~~~

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:9-18

Today, as I sit with cold symptoms that keep getting more severe by the hours pass by, I am reminded of how fragile and needy we truly are. Just as a cold exposes my physical vulnerability, though, i searched the scriptures on the topic of healing and settled into Jeremiah 17, which also exposes the spiritual vulnerability of the human heart. It reminds me that my heart, left unchecked, is deceitful, sick, and desperately in need of divine healing.

Our world often encourages us to “follow our hearts,” but the Bible warns us that the heart is not a trustworthy guide. It is prone to lead us astray with selfish desires and misplaced priorities. In moments of physical weakness like this, I am more aware of how deeply I rely on God—not only for my physical healing but for the continual renewal of my heart and spirit.

Jeremiah tells us that the Lord searches the heart and tests the mind (Jeremiah 17:10). When we are tempted to trust our feelings, our instincts, or the fleeting promises of the world, God calls us to trust Him instead. He knows us better than we know ourselves and offers true healing and salvation.

When I’m congested and have a sore throat, I long for relief from the discomfort. How much more should I long for the deep cleansing that God offers for the sickness of sin within me? Physical sickness reminds me of my limits, but spiritual sickness reminds me of my need for a Savior.

“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved.”
This is the cry of a heart that recognizes its own brokenness and turns fully to God for restoration. Whether we are facing physical illness, spiritual weariness, or emotional struggle, we can trust in God’s power to heal and redeem.

I must examine my heart. Ask God to reveal areas where you might be deceiving yourself or trusting in things other than Him.

I meed to bring my needs to God. No matter if it is a major illness, a minor cold, or anything else, like Jeremiah, I must pour out my prayer to the Lord—whether for physical healing, spiritual renewal, or deliverance from challenges.

Find your hope in Him. Just as Jeremiah declared God to be his hope (Jeremiah 17:17), cling to the truth that God is faithful and unchanging, even in the face of weakness or uncertainty.

As you trust God for healing—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—remember that He is the ultimate source of life and hope. Take a moment to surrender your heart to Him, asking Him to search and cleanse it so you can walk in greater alignment with His truth.

~~~~~

Father God, As I sit in this moment of weariness, physically uncomfortable with my symptoms, I am reminded of how fragile and dependent I truly am. This illness reminds me not only of the limits of my body but also of the vulnerability of my heart. I confess that my heart can be deceitful and prone to wander. Left to my own desires, I so easily lose my way. Yet, You are the God who searches my heart and tests my mind, uncovering what I cannot see within myself.

Lord, I come before You, acknowledging both my physical and spiritual need. I ask for Your healing hand upon me. Ease the discomfort and restore my strength soon, if it be Your will.

You are my refuge, my hope, and my sanctuary. In the discomfort of this illness, I find a small reflection of the way life can overwhelm me. Yet, even in this, You are faithful. Help me to trust You more deeply, to rely on Your strength when I am weak, and to lean on Your wisdom when my heart tries to deceive me.

Thank You for being the spring of living water, the source of life that never runs dry. Quench my soul’s thirst for peace, joy, and righteousness. Lord, I surrender my heart to You. Search it, cleanse it, and align it with Your will. Guide me in Your paths of righteousness and help me to walk in step with You. May this season of weakness draw me closer to You, refining my faith and deepening my dependence on Your grace.

Heal me, Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved. You alone are worthy of my praise. Thank You for Your love, mercy, and unchanging faithfulness. I place myself fully in Your hands.

In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

December 21 2024