It is the sad estate of many a heart to have lost its tenderness, to be unable to perceive the things of God, to be as though the Lord had not given it a heart to perceive, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear. When a soul has grown hard, when the affections are shut up and the spirit has become fat and heavy, it is a grief beyond all others, for it shuts out the healing that flows from Christ. Yet be of good courage, for His healing power reaches the utmost length of human sickness. The very leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations, and the least thing about Him can bring medicine to the head, the heart, the conscience. Lie still before Jesus in your prayer, as that poor man sick of the palsy was let down through the roof, his heart heavy within him, and say, "Get me, somehow, within sight of this wonderful Saviour! Get me within a touch of Him, that I may be restored." Your heartbeats are vocal to His heart, and He will note every inward groan.
There is a change promised, a perfect restoration, where the Lord Himself takes away the heart of stone and writes His law upon a heart of flesh. This blessed work is not for you alone, but is for any whom God shall draw. He will put His fear in the heart, so that the wanderer shall become as though he had never been cast aside. The processes of regeneration and sanctification shall begin where faith is in Christ, and the Holy Spirit will go on working till all is set right. Remember Peter: he fell low, yet the Master's heart was going out towards His unworthy disciple even in the hour of denial. One glance from those eyes, a look that pricked him in the heart, and Peter went out and wept bitterly. The wound went deep, not merely cutting to the heart but piercing it through, and that was the beginning of his restoration. So must it be: a pricking in the heart, a sorrow that is genuine and felt, is the mark of a saving work. Do not fear the wound that makes the heart bleed; bring it to the bleeding heart of Jesus, for that alone will stanch its flow.
Forgiveness and healing are placed in happy conjunction. When Jesus healed the palsied man, He first said, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven thee." The load of guilt was lifted, and then the limbs received strength. In the same way, ask that his soul may know the pardon that comes from the pardoning hand, and healing will follow. Pardon and healing are one in Christ Jesus. He is the God of peace, and He has prepared everything necessary for a perfect reconciliation, not only between God and the soul, but in every bond that reflects His covenant. The ministry of reconciliation has been committed to us who have tasted of it, and we speak from experience: Jesus is all in all to the heart that turns to Him. When the Sun of Righteousness arises, there is healing in His wings, and the heart that meditated terror shall now muse on mercy.
Pray then, not doubting, for the Holy Spirit to do His office work. O Master, look on that poor dry heart, that heart which cannot feel its sinfulness, and give it feeling! Look on the heart that cannot repent, that cries, "I would, but cannot feel contrition," and break it into a thousand pieces with grief that there has been distance from Thee. A broken heart on account of sin is the very thing God peculiarly delights to heal. He heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds. Encourage yourself with this: when the heart is tender and sensitive, when a little touch may open the wound and make it bleed again, it is near the hour of healing. The Lord who gave the heart to perceive is faithful to complete the work.
Let your petition be that his heart be not merely cut, but pricked in the heart by the sword of the Spirit, for no permanent good comes until it reaches that vital place. And when sorrow swells the laden breast and tears of anguish flow, remember that one heart only, a broken heart, can feel the sinner's woe, but Christ's broken body and shed blood speak peace. He withdrew into the wilderness and prayed; so lay your case before Him who ever lives to intercede. Let your own heart be open before Him, expecting that He will restore the years the locust has eaten, make your interactions frequent and consistent, and guide you on the path of reconciliation for your marriage and your family. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think, and the very leaves of His presence are full of healing virtue. God bless you. Amen.