November 22

By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew. — Prov 3:20 BSB

When the Lord said, “Let there be light,” there was light instantly. In the same way, when the Lord says, “Let the heart open,” the heart opens immediately. The conscience becomes tender, and the soul hears and receives what God speaks. What follows this opening? The heart receives the dews and showers of God’s grace, softening it and making it fruitful. Oh, how painfully we must learn this! Isn’t our heart sometimes as hard as a stone, our feelings devoid of light, life, and power, without even a grain of brokenness, contrition, godly sorrow, spiritual desire, or longing for the Lord? The Lord’s people must continually pass through this painful experience to learn that “in their flesh dwells no good thing” and that “power belongs to God.”

If I could soften my own heart, why would I need the Lord to do it? If I could make my soul fruitful, why would I long for the dews and showers of the Holy Spirit? If I could bring peace and pardon to my conscience, would I need the Lord to speak with power? If I could believe, hope, and rejoice at will, experiencing every gracious feeling I desire, there would be no need to plead God’s promises, no wrestling in prayer, no striving to take the kingdom of God by force, and no deep longing for the Lord’s presence.

God allows us to walk this path so that we may learn that “it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.”