Written in the Heart

“Judah’s sin is engraved with an iron tool,
    inscribed with a flint point,
on the tablets of their hearts
    and on the horns of their altars.”
Jer. 17:1

“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
    your walls are ever before me.”
Isa. 49:16


Here is a contrast.  The erring people write their sins upon their heart and in their heart.  They hold fast to sins and idolatry.

But the Lord holds His people near and dear to His own self.  This is symbolized in Exodus 28 by the priestly robes having stones inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel worn over the heart.

But God's true people will hold Him near and dear to their hearts.  Isa 44:5 says, “Some will say, 'I belong to the LORD'; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, 'The LORD's,' and will take the name Israel.”

Of these the Lord Jesus says they are in His hand and none can pluck them out.

But those who cling to idols and write their sins indelibly on their hearts, there will be another writing.  Their names will be written in dust.  (Jer. 17:13)  Dust to show the incredibly non-permanence of their position and the utter humiliation their pride will be cast down to.

Thus we must ask, what is it that we hold dear in our hearts?