Jeremiah

Jeremiah 17: The LORD searches every heart

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the deceitful heart, let us turn to the LORD in prayer. Ask Him to search our hearts, to bless our family, and to heal us through Christ.

You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.

Psalms 17:3

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You search every heart and that You heal those who trust You, and help us to turn from our sin and trust Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Judah’s sin is written with an iron pen and cut into the tablet of its heart (verses 1 and 2). A bush in a barren land pictures the one who trusts man (verses 5 and 6). The heart is deceitful above all things, and the LORD searches the mind and tries the heart (verses 9 and 10). Jeremiah prays, “Heal me, O Yahweh, and I shall be healed” because the LORD is his praise (verse 14). The LORD calls Judah to keep the day of rest holy and carry no burdens through the gates (verses 21 and 22).

As you read Jeremiah 17, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD searches every heart, and He heals and saves those who trust Him.

Judah’s sin was written with an iron pen and cut into the tablet of its heart, so it could not be hidden (verse 1). Even the horns of their altars displayed the sin of the people (verses 1 and 2). A barren bush pictures the one who trusts man, and a tree by water the one who trusts the LORD (verses 6 to 8). The heart is deceitful above all things, and only the LORD searches it (verses 9 and 10). The LORD is the fountain of living waters, and those who turn away from Him are lost (verse 13). Jeremiah asks the LORD to heal and save him, and he confesses that the LORD is his praise (verse 14). The Sabbath was the day of rest God gave His people, with no burdens carried through the gates (verses 21 and 22). Jesus is the fountain of life.

How does Jeremiah 17 show us that the LORD searches every heart, and heals and saves those who trust Him?

The sin of the heart runs deep.

Judah’s sin is written with an iron pen and cut into the tablet of its heart (verse 1). The heart is deceitful above all things, so no one can know it by himself (verse 9). Jesus knows the heart completely.

God alone searches and knows the heart.

The LORD says, “I, Yahweh, search the mind, I try the heart” (verse 10). He gives to each person according to his ways and the fruit of his doings. No one can fool Him, because He sees what no one else can see (verse 10).

The LORD heals and saves those who trust Him.

Jeremiah prays, “Heal me, O Yahweh, and I shall be healed” (verse 14). He trusts the LORD to be his praise (verse 14). Jesus is the Healer of the soul.

Memorize

Heal me, O Yahweh, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for you are my praise.

Jeremiah 17:14

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what am I trusting in, and have I asked Jesus to heal it?

The LORD says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt. Who can know it?” Then He answers, “I, Yahweh, search the mind, I try the heart.” Judah’s sin was cut into its heart like writing on stone, and nothing could hide it from God. Jeremiah prayed, “Heal me, O Yahweh, and I shall be healed.”

Jesus is the Fountain of living water, and He suffered for His people when they could not heal themselves. He bore the judgment of sin on the cross and took the place of sinners. His death paid for sin completely, and He rose from the dead, so His work is enough for all who trust Him.

Turn from the trust you have placed in people and things, and come to Jesus for healing. Repent of the sin written on your heart, and ask Him to forgive you. Those who turn to Jesus in repentance find healing for the heart, and He never fails them.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD searches every heart and knows what is hidden there. Parents, you may want to explain the Sabbath rule in verses 21 and 22 in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He searches our hearts, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.

Psalms 139:24

Lord, You search every heart and know what is hidden there. Heal us from the sin we have hidden, and give us hearts that trust You. Please bring each of us to Jesus, who heals the heart, and help us to rest in You this week. Amen.