But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7, NASB
A Clean Heart
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10, NLT
If you’ve ever met a toddler, then you know we are born into sin. Oh, I joke. But only a little, because as adults we haven’t changed much. We still fight with selfish desire and even know how to throw a grown up tantrum. Did you read yesterday’s Dose?
David, a man after God’s own heart, knew a thing or two about selfish desires. Maybe you know the story about his relationship with Bathsheba, but in case you don’t, I’ll sum it up for you. David had a crush on Bathsheba, which was a bit of a problem because Bathsheba was married to another man named Uriah. That didn’t stop David, who proceeded to commit adultery with her, in which she conceived a child. If that’s not enough drama for you, he then proceeded to have her husband killed. I recommend reading the whole story in 2 Samuel 11.
God was anything but pleased with their behavior, and both David and Bathsheba endured devastating consequences of their actions when their child died. David, his soul crushed with grief and by the weight of his sin, cried out to God with a heart of repentance in Psalm 51. While this story lacks no element of sin and drama, it is also a beautiful picture of God’s redemption. He didn’t choose someone more worthy to take David’s place on the throne, instead He restored a repentant David and He restores us too.
Each and every one of us sin. We often compare our sins to others in an attempt to justify our actions and attitudes. Or we may believe that God gives more weight to some sins than others, but nowhere in scripture is that faulty way of thinking substantiated. Adultery, gossip, addiction, pride, greed: sin is sin. Each of us stand guilty before our Holy God.
Is there sin that has been allowed to reside in your heart for too long? Have you made a choice that you feel is so horrific you haven’t sought forgiveness from God because you can’t even forgive yourself? Friend, 1 John 1:9 tells us, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (NASB).
If you are willing, like David, to confess and repent of your sin, God is waiting to create in you a clean heart and to renew the spirit within you.
Praying for a clean heart,
Traci