4.1 Heart of King Saul
God the Lord seeks believers after His own heart.
Regrettably, people in general do not have a true heart for God. An example of this is found in the book of Samuel, no further than King Saul. Though God made him king over Israel, he feared man more than God. He was a king who also put more confidence on the things of man rather than that of God (1 Samuel 13: 8-12).
He took it upon himself to offer sacrifices to the Lord when he should have waited for the prophet Samuel, which was God’s commandment. Because of this sin, God pronounced judgement over his reign.
There is, however, an important verse in 1 Samuel 13: 14 which says, “but now your kingdom will not continue; the Lord has sought out a man after His own heart”.
4.2 Heart of David
King David was the man who replaced King Saul and he was a man after God’s heart. However, in King David we see a man of many contradictions, he ruthlessly disposed the enemies of Israel and because of his lust, sent the husband of Bathsheba to battle knowing that he would not return alive; yet, God used David mightily for His plan and purposes. The Psalms of David bear testament to David’s heart for God and his love for Him.
It was the prophet Samuel who was sent by the Lord to the house of Jesse, where his youngest son, David, was anointed, and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily on David from thereon (1 Samuel 16:13). In the time of Samuel, Israel had a few hundred thousand males but why was only David chosen?
The clue lies in 1 Samuel 16:7, for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outer appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
While the bible does not record how God tested David, if you know the way of God, then surely the test had been given to David earlier, even before Samuel met him. For how then can God say that David is someone after My own heart?
David says in Psalm 26: 2: Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.
The bible says that the Spirit of the Lord came mightily on David after the anointing of the Lord, but in what instances are there biblical references to substantiate this? I will quote again the Book of Psalms 51:10 – 12, David summed up his life’s worth through these pivotal verses: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast Spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the Joy of Your Salvation and grant me a willing Spirit, to sustain me”.
Note that David never ever gave a glowing account of his battle with Goliath or his victories over the vanquished tribes and enemies of Israel. To David, the Joy of Salvation and the presence of the Holy Spirit were what mattered the most to him, and even more than the pleasures of the court at his disposal, as king.
4.3 Heart of Man
Meanwhile, the people of the world murmur against God when things go against them, somehow God is to be blamed for their predicaments. In their hearts, God is believed to be an uncaring God and unmoved by the pain of their problems, not knowing that they or their forebears were the ones who brought misfortune on themselves (Jeremiah 32:18).
By complaining, these folks expect God to help with their difficulties when in fact God eschews such, for they have exhibited a heart which is not right before God.
Elsewhere, there are those who blame God for all the calamities in the world not knowing that such are the works of the devil and the contest between him and God. For these people, the Lord says: Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord God, and not rather that they should turn from their ways and live? Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair”. Cast away from yourselves all transgressions that you have committed against Me and set yourself a new heart and a new spirit. For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn then (repent) and live (Ezekiel 18:23, 25, 31-32).
Let me digress, the principle of bowing down to foreign gods is one where our worship is not to the True and Living God, but to other things which have become our idols and desires. This can take the form of idol worshipping or even if we hold the thought of power, prestige and money in high regard. The devil will certainly cause you to worship the things of the world, if our hearts are easily led astray. The contest between God and Satan will in almost all cases occur in the heart of man.
One of the purposes for the coming of the Lord was to break the yoke of the elemental spirits that rule over us by decree through sin. The bible describes us as being enslaved by these spirits. How does this law affect us in the spiritual sense, aren’t we supposed to be born faultless and therefore without any prior spiritual baggage? The Lord says, you shall not bow down before them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the sins of parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject Me (Exodus 20:5).
Let me pause here a bit, and relate a sad but true story:
There was an elderly lady who still toiled and slaved in a menial job; not that she needed the meagre wages to survive, for she had much in the bank.
She had a son to whom she doted on and he was her only hope and joy in her dreary world. Due to poverty, this lady would visit a temple, where she made offerings of sacrifice to the temple deity in the hope of blessings for their lives.
One day, while contemplating her many and current financial predicaments, the devil tested her through her heart. She had a deep knowing that financially she would somehow be rewarded with money beyond her wildest dreams. There was, however, another thought altogether, and she sensed a foreboding that the requirement was for a life that may be precious to her. She, however, did not reject these thoughts and dismissed such suggestions as just mere fantasies, as she thought it inconceivable to receive such wealth.
However, secretly in her heart, she still harboured a desire to be rich.
Not long after this, she became exceedingly rich through a lottery that had won her the grand prize. Overcome with joy, she immediately called her son and said that she wanted to tell him of very good news once he’s back from work. On the way home, he met with an accident and tragically died.
She, however, continues working in her job of many years, toiling and sweating and being unable to move on in life, despite her riches.
We may have known or have heard of the many tragic deaths that have happened around us or even among our close friends, relatives and even family members. But do know this: Nothing happens by chance!
For we do not know from whom our forebears have sought blessings from and sometimes we ourselves are complicit. The contest between God and the devil for our souls, is a test that will mostly occur through the heart. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).
God seeks people who genuinely thirst for Him and He wants all of you to seek the true treasure, where peace and joy are the foundations of your faith.
If you indeed seek the Lord with all your heart, the bible says: The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22).
I have experienced the multitudes of God’s blessings in my unworthy life, this only became possible when I left everything, even every thought and worry at His feet. The Lord had to teach me His ways, and had I known them earlier, I would have avoided the many heartaches, pitfalls and regrets in life.
I have learned a valuable truth: Always leave the important decisions in our lives to Him and He will show us a sign or a way.
4.4 The Heart that Pleases God
Continuing with this theme of heart for God, we somehow associate the religious as people doing the work of God. However, all religions are the creation of man, as the focus of their worship is directly or indirectly pinned on a person or an ‘icon’, and not on God.
There can only be one true worship and that worship should be directed to the one True and Living God, who is the Spirit of Life! (Romans 8:2)
Scripture says that the religious establishments are steeped in the teachings of man and accept doctrines as though they came from the mouth of God. These people belong to the religious institutions of our day and I mean, every religious group. You can almost recognize them by their robes, rituals and grooming, because they wear their religion on their sleeves, some more overtly than others.
For such the Lord says: Because these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, while their hearts are far from Me, and their worship of Me is a human commandment learned by rote; so I will again do amazing things with this people, shocking and amazing. The wisdom of their wise shall perish, and the discernment of the discerning shall be gone (Isaiah 29: 13 and Matthew 15:8-9).
For both prophet and priest ply their trade throughout the land and have no knowledge; even in My house (Jeremiah 14:18, 23:11).
Interestingly, God says both prophet and priest ply their trade even in His house; you may include most of the synagogues and church entities of our day. Isn’t religion big business for those who sell their religious wares to the masses?
Coming back, if you do wish to receive a blessing from the Lord or a break-through in your life, then follow the example of how David prayed. The bible records in Psalm 51:1-10:
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions, cleanse me from my sins. For I know my transgressions, and my sins are ever before me. Against You alone have I sinned, and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and blameless when You pass judgement. Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me. You desire truth in the inward being, therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right Spirit within me.
Meanwhile, many Christians hope that their work and labor for God will lead to fulfillment and joy in the Lord; but let me say that God has no delight with toil as sacrifice. If you labor like Cain and bear the fruit of your sweat to the Lord, He will not accept it; instead be like Abel who depended totally on the Lord and gave his best and prized offering to the Lord, even as God multiplied his fold.
The Lord says: For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6).
All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit (Proverbs 16:2).
For You have no delight in sacrifice; the sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart for such God will not spurn (Psalms 51: 16-17).
Let me remind you that God will never forsake His people, and for those who are weary in heart and spirit, and if you believe in God, then believe this: That He has kept count of your tossing; put your tears in His bottle. And they are in His record (Psalm 56:8). For the Lord hears the needy and does not reject His own that are in bonds (Psalm 69:33).
4.5 The Lord Will Speak to His Faithful, for Those who Turn to Him in Their Hearts
For the people of God who seek Him, the Lord has given His assurances through these scriptures:
For these, God will teach them His way, that they may walk in truth; and He will give them an undivided heart to receive His name (Psalm 86: 8-11).
When you search for Me, you will find Me; if you seek Me with all your heart, I will let you find Me says the Lord (Jeremiah 29: 13-14).
I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people and I
will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart (Jeremiah 24:7).
Let it be said that we are unworthy of the grace of God, for He does not judge as man judges and He gives grace to the humble in heart.
For those whom the Lord receives, He says: A new heart I will give you, and a new Spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you, and make you follow My statutes and be careful to observe My ordinances (Ezekiel 36: 26-27).
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream and shall not cease to bear fruit. The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse – who can understand it? I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings (Jeremiah 17:7-10).
The good person out of a good treasure of the heart produces good, for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).
Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart (Psalm 73: 1).
For He knows the secrets of the heart (Psalm 44:21).
