A Heart God Can Hear

“If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has heard the words of my prayer. Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me.”Psalm 66:18–20 (NRSV)

There’s a simple truth tucked inside this psalm: God listens to hearts that are open to Him.

The writer says, “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” It’s a reminder that when we hold on tightly to our sin—when we hide it, excuse it, or pretend it isn’t there—it builds a wall between God and us. Not because God moves away from us, but because we close the door on Him.

But then comes the good news: “Truly God has listened.” The psalmist knew what you and I know—God is full of mercy. When we come with honest hearts, when we bring our mess rather than hide it, God leans in. He hears every word. Every whisper. Every sigh.

And the final line is the sweetest of all: “Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me.”

God doesn’t love us only on our best days. His love sticks. It stays even when we stumble, even when we come home with muddy boots and a guilty heart.

Maybe today you feel like your prayers have been bouncing off the ceiling. Perhaps you wonder if God still listens. Let this psalm settle your heart: He does. He always does. Bring Him the real you, no hiding, no pretending. And watch how His steadfast love finds you again.

Have a Great Week!

-Pastor Corey