God's heartbreak
I don't think I've seen another verse that so poignantly expresses God's heartbreak over the sin of his people, his earnest desire NOT to punish them in wrath.
Pages and pages of declaring their wrongs, their adulteries, their blatant disregard for God; and prophecy after prophecy promising wrath to come, describing the destruction if they don't repent; predicting their exile and justifying God's anger. But as it comes down to the moment, it is as if we are given a window into the private conversation within God's own heart: "how can I do it? how can I let them go? How can I surrender them over to their enemies?"
And then this penultimate line: "My heart is turned over within me."
O Lord, you are righteous in disciplining me for my sin, for you warned me over and over, and I responded only in rebellion and pride; but I thank you, that you are also the God of Compassion; there is no one like you whose heart is turned over within Him with longing for Your people.
Created over 1 year ago
