1 John 3:19-20 NIV
19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
“God’s greatness is relevant to the state of the human heart. ‘God is greater than our hearts’ for John, not in the sense that he so transcends them that there is no personal point of contact… but in the sense that precisely as the exalted Lord, he ministers comfort to the individual… Doubtless numerous reasons could be given for John’s optimism that God is the place to turn when the heart is pricked with guilt, but John underscores just one in 3:20: God ‘knows all things’… is to remind readers that in coming before God, they approach one who knows everything about all hearts … yet is still able to forgive. He knows human folly and guilt…, disgrace and shame…, even thoughts and words before they are spoken. Yet at the right hand of this God is Christ the advocate.” (Yarbrough, 1-3 John, BECNT, 211)
Prayer: Lord, we proclaim, “God is greater than our hearts!” As we face discouragements, may we receive the assurance that God is at work within us through the Spirit, empowering us to love sacrificially. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Let’s worship the Lord in song with “Your Love Defends Me” by Matt Maher (click here).
– MR
