Lord, soften my heart is a cry of desperation. It is what we say when we finally realize we are on an empty path in life. How would you describe the soil of your heart? Remember it is never too late to cry out to the Lord to soften your heart.
There is a story of a young man who leaves his father’s home and spends his inheritance on wild living in Luke chapter fifteen. The soil of the young man’s heart is hard, but then something happens. His money runs out and he hires himself out to feed pigs and longs to eat what the pigs eat because he is hungry. Through his circumstances, his heart was softened, and he responded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. The text says he comes to his senses and returns home to ask his father to forgive him. (Ref. Luke 15:17-19.)
The Soil of a Hardened Heart
Jesus tells the parable of the sower and the first soil he speaks of is the soil of the footpath. This is the soil of a hardened heart. Mark 4:3 “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. 4 As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. [1]Jesus goes on to explain this soil. 15 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away.[2]
How many people are currently in hell because they hardened their hearts toward God? The good news is as you read this you are among the living. The Lord may be calling you to come to Him. He is trying to break through and wants you to take a step of faith.
A Softened Heart
Good things begin to happen in our life when our heart begins to soften toward God. God may be calling you to repent of your sins. Repentance is when we turn away from our sin and turn toward God. There were two thieves who were crucified with Jesus and they both began the day with hardened hearts. Then something happened and one of the thief’s hearts. It began to change.
Luke 23:42Then the thief said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” [3] Today this former thief is in heaven and will be for all of eternity because he softened his heart! Wow, that is an amazing story of how the Lord does not give up on a person.
God has such wonderful things ahead for everyone who turns away from their hardened heart and turns toward Him. Cry out to God today in prayer and ask Him to soften your heart. Ask to help you better to hear His voice and obey. You will be so blessed you did.
Lord, soften my heart, find out more here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-why-some-never-come-to-faith
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.