Benefits of a Tender Heart
I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. -Isa. 57:15b
(1) God has promised to dwell in a tender heart. Isaiah 57:15 says, 'For thus says he that is high and excellent, he that inhabits eternity, whose name is the Holy One: I will dwell in the high and holy place, and with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to give life to them that are of a contrite heart.' Now God having promised to dwell where there is a soft heart; can God come into a heart without a blessing? When the heart therefore is pliable and tender, there is an immediate communion between the soul and God; and can that heart be miserable that has communion with God? Surely no.
(2) Consider that a man is fit for that end for which he was made when he has a tender heart. What are we redeemed for, but that we should serve God? And who is fit to be put in the service of God but he that has a tender heart for God?
(3) Consider that a tender heart is fit for any blessedness. It is capable of any beatitude. A tender heart will make a man to hear the word, to read, to show mercies to others, and therefore is blessed.
(4) Consider the wretched state of a heart that is not tender and will not yield. What a fearful thing was it to see what strange things fell out at Christ's death, what darkness there was, what thunders and lightnings. The veil of the temple rent, the sun was turned into darkness, the graves opened, and the dead did rise, yet notwithstanding none of these would make the hypocritical Pharisees to tremble, but they mocked at it, although it made a very heathen man to confess it the work of God (Matt. 27:54). What fearful things may a man come to if he gives way to hardness of heart! Therefore, let everyone be persuaded to labour for a tender and yielding heart here, else we shall have it hereafter against our wills, when it will do us no good.
(2) Consider that a man is fit for that end for which he was made when he has a tender heart. What are we redeemed for, but that we should serve God? And who is fit to be put in the service of God but he that has a tender heart for God?
(3) Consider that a tender heart is fit for any blessedness. It is capable of any beatitude. A tender heart will make a man to hear the word, to read, to show mercies to others, and therefore is blessed.
(4) Consider the wretched state of a heart that is not tender and will not yield. What a fearful thing was it to see what strange things fell out at Christ's death, what darkness there was, what thunders and lightnings. The veil of the temple rent, the sun was turned into darkness, the graves opened, and the dead did rise, yet notwithstanding none of these would make the hypocritical Pharisees to tremble, but they mocked at it, although it made a very heathen man to confess it the work of God (Matt. 27:54). What fearful things may a man come to if he gives way to hardness of heart! Therefore, let everyone be persuaded to labour for a tender and yielding heart here, else we shall have it hereafter against our wills, when it will do us no good.
Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
Josiah's Reformation, pp. 37-40 [28-31]
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
Josiah's Reformation, pp. 37-40 [28-31]
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
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