God says through Jeremiah that we shall find him when we seek for him with our whole heart (Jer. 29:13). This indicates that we don’t have to go any distance to find him because he is actually beside us looking into our hearts. The problem is not always that God is far away and difficult to find. Rather the problem may be inside our hearts, and he knows the reality of what is going on within us, and he will not reveal himself to a heart that is not right.
What do we mean by a wrong kind of heart? It cannot mean a sinful heart, because if that was the case, nobody would find him. Each of us is affected by sin much more than we know, yet it must be possible for a sinner to seek God with a whole heart. Millions have found him numerous times, and all of them were sinners, but they could only have found him if they searched for him with their whole hearts.
One way of explaining a wrong heart is to describe it as insincere. God will regard such a heart as not truly wanting to know him. Another way of describing a wrong heart is ungrateful. God knows what we think of all the blessings he gives us day after day, and if we are not grateful for them, we will not find him. A third way to describe a wrong heart is self-centred. There is no space for God in a heart like that.
In contrast, a sinful heart can be a penitent heart, and such a heart will find God. Along with penitence, a sinful heart can be a trusting heart, leaning upon God for spiritual help. Connected to those features, a sinful heart can be a praying heart, crying to God to deal with him graciously.
God is near to those who call upon him in truth. He loves to see genuineness and loyalty even in a sinful heart. After all, if a person is a Christian, he or she is a person with a sinful heart in whom the Holy Spirit dwells. We can ask the Inspector of hearts to enflame our hearts with his love.
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