Deceitful Hearts

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”  Jeremiah 17: 7-10

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.  Psalm 1:1-6

Each of these passages refer to a tree by the water gathering nourishment bring forth fruit when it is time to bear fruit. Each also refers to the judgment of the ungodly. A full and frequent examination of the heart is required to remain in the place of the righteous. But what man can do it? Since the heart is deceitful and unsearchable, it is a comfort to be on terms with a God who does search the heart fully, sees its mischief, yet loves us and corrects us through it.