Key Scriptures:

• 1 Samuel 13:14
• Acts 13:22
• 1 Samuel 16:7

Introduction:

Looks can be deceiving. As we saw in the life of King Saul his outward appearance was impressive but it hid a broken individual. When God sought a replacement for Saul He chose someone with a right heart and he found it in a young man named David. The world around us is all about appearance but God it is all about the heart. Only the Lord knows what's on the inside of our hearts, our passions, our ambitions, agendas, our motives, why we do what we do. In this lesson we will see that God is looking at the heart in everything.

Three types of hearts that God desires

1. A heart that desires Him 

(Ps. 63, 42:1, 27:4.84:2, 73;25) - David was a psalmist writing many of the psalms we read today. In those psalms we can see the young heart of David expressed. He had a deep longing for God and a passion for His presence. “O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1)

Question: With so many things vying for our attention, how can we make sure that God has our heart first?

2. A heart that aligns with His

(Ps. 119:30) David wrote “ I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations.”  He had committed his heart to be in alignment with God’s will and His perspective. A heart that God desires is in alignment with the values of scripture even in the face of social pressure to fit in with culture. 

Question: In what ways do we see society leaning away from the values we see in scripture? In what ways can we be sure to stay in alignment with the heart of God. 

A heart that returns to Him 

(Ps. 51:10) - David was not perfect. Although he sinned against God by committing adultery and tried to cover it by sending her husband to his death, when confronted, he cried out in repentance. Psalm 51 records his cry for mercy and his request for God to “Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me”. When we sin God is looking for a heart that is humble and admits guilt and returns with a repentant heart seeking forgiveness. 

Question: Sin issues begin with heart issues. That is why Daivd asked God for a clean heart and a renewed spirit. What kind of heart issues can result in sin if unaddressed?

Conclusion:

The life of David shows us that the condition of our hearts determines our destiny and alignment with the will of God. Take some time this week to do some self examination. Commit to maintaining a heart that desires, aligns with and returns to God.