“Because Your Heart Was Tender” 2 Kings 22:19; 2 Chronicles 34:27

A tender heart will forgive… “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32) “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” (Colossians 3:12-13) Matthew 5:43-44

A tender heart will help… "If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the L ORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, 8 but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.” (Deuteronomy 15:7-8) 1 Timothy 6:8 (Food, clothing) 1John 3:16-18

A tender heart embraces humility… “because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you," says the L ORD.” (2 Chronicles 34:27) “For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Isaiah 57:15) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart-- These, O God, You will not despise. (Psalms 51:17) 1 Peter 5:5-7…

A tender heart will listen… “Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the L ORD had said.” (Exodus 8:19) Isaiah 66:1-2 “Princes persecute me without a cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your word.” (Psalms 119:161) “Consider and hear me, O L ORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death” (Psalms 13:3)

A tender heart will listen… “I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.” (Psalms 17:6) “And do not hide Your face from Your servant, For I am in trouble; Hear me speedily.” (Psalms 69:17) “Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; O L ORD, revive me according to Your justice.” (Psalms 119:149) Ephesians 5:1; James 1:19

Do we listen with genuine concern? “Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray.” (Psalms 5:2) “Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; for the L ORD has heard the voice of my weeping. (Psalms 6:8) “To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. May the L ORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you” (Psalms 20:1) “A song of Ascents. In my distress I cried to the L ORD, And He heard me.” (Psalms 120:1)

A tender heart will lead us to obey… Exodus 19:5-6 “And give my son Solomon a loyal heart to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes, to do all these things, and to build the temple for which I have made provision." (1 Chronicles 29:19) “Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” (Psalms 119:34) Obedience must come from the heart (Lk. 8:15; Acts 2:36-38; Rom. 6:17; Eph 6:5-7)

A tender heart is one that repents… “…do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who "will render to each one according to his deeds“ (Romans 2:4-6) Joel 2:12-13; Matthew 3:8; Acts 26:20

A tender heart will lead to weeping… “… because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the L ORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you," says the L ORD.” (2 Kings 22:19) James 4:8-10

“Because Your Heart Was Tender” Tender hearts are strong enough to bear the burdens of others and will aid in granting us courage to do whatever needs to be done. Do you have a tender heart? The proof is in your response to the word of God! Will you learn of your sins, weep over your mistakes, repent of your ways, and obey the Lord?

“Because Your Heart Was Tender” 2 Kings 22:19; 2 Chronicles 34:27