What Breaks the Heart of God
God's heart is broken when we doubt his love and faithfulness, but he reveals his love for us through scripture and promises to never leave us.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that Jesus wept at Lazarus' tomb not only out of compassion for Mary and Martha but also due to the unbelief of those around him. He points out that God's heart is still broken today when Christians doubt His love, despite having a complete Bible and a history of God's faithfulness. Wilkerson encourages believers to recognize the depth of God's mercy and the promises found in Scripture, urging them to open their hearts to experience His love fully. He reminds us that God, who sympathizes with our weaknesses, is always present and desires a relationship with us.
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Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus even though he knew he would soon raise him to life again. After all, he had come to Bethany expressly for this purpose. "Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, 'See how He loved him!' And some of them said, 'Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?' Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb" (John 11:35-38).
While Jesus keenly felt the grief of his dear friends Mary and Martha over the death of their brother, his deeper grief was caused by the unbelief of the people who questioned why he had not prevented Lazarus' death. "Jesus said to her, 'Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?'" (11:40).
Just as in Jesus' day, the heart of God is broken today when Christians question his love for them. How could a God of love not weep when his own children doubt his very nature?
Christians grieve the Lord in matters much worse than those during his time on earth. We stand on a higher mountain and see more then they could ever see. We have a completed Bible with a full and detailed record of God's trustworthiness. We have the written testimonies of centuries of Christians, generation after generation of godly fathers who have passed down to us unshakable proofs of God's love. We also have countless personal experiences that testify to God's tender affection for us.
God reveals his heart for his people in his Word:
"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
"He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5).
"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:17).
Dearly beloved, God's heart is full of mercy and forgiveness, and his Word is filled with promises of blessing. He declares his love for you over and over again, and he is just waiting to hear from you. Open your heart to him today and experience all that he has for you.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Heart of God
- A. Broken by unbelief
- B. Revealed through scripture
- II. God's Nature
- A. Sympathetic High Priest
- B. Faithful and loving
- III. God's Promises
- A. Mercy and forgiveness
- B. Blessings and salvation
Key Quotes
“Just as in Jesus' day, the heart of God is broken today when Christians question his love for them.” — David Wilkerson
“How could a God of love not weep when his own children doubt his very nature?” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We should strive to trust in God's goodness and faithfulness, even when we don't understand his ways.
- We can experience God's love and blessings by opening our hearts to him and trusting in his promises.
- God's heart is broken when we doubt him, but he is always waiting to hear from us and to forgive us.