The Lord searches the heart

I'm in the middle of my quiet time and felt I should blog my meditations...

Jeremiah 17:8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.

17:9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?
10 “I, the LORD, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give to each man according to his ways,
According to the results of his deeds.

I have been returning to 17:8 alot and God has been blessing me through it but the next two verses opened up to me today.
Anyone with half a brain and/or heart can see that the human heart is desperately sick. I have marveled at this for years now. I remember when I worked at a legal copy service and copied thick legal briefs of criminals. I couldn't help but read some of their records as I meticulously copied each page. My heart would be stunned for a good while sometimes at how serious their situations were. But everyone's hearts are sick in some way. The Lord has graciously pointed out some things in my own heart lately and shown me how to walk out of them - and I'm still walking out of them. I'm so grateful for the strategies He is giving me. Things only He knows because He is the only one who knows me fully. No counselor can counsel me like the Holy Spirit. Certain people can help (and they have been helping me) but the Lord is the one who knows us individually. If counselors / pastors / etc. aren't sensitive to His voice they'll just give out some "wise" advise. Yes, I know a lot of circumstances can be addressed with tried and true Biblical principles and by knowing how people work, etc. but the Lord is the one who searches the heart. We need to learn to be sensitive and obedient to His voice and it needs to be a part of our DAILY lives in greater and greater ways. I know this is possible and I'm just being reawakened to this truth.

Thank you, Lord, that You search my heart and that You know what I need. You know how to counsel me. I pray that my heart would yield more and more to You. I pray that You would continue to walk me out of the strongholds in my life so that I can live the life You desire for me - a life of joy and great effectiveness for You.