“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10. 

Give me a clean heart
So I may serve Thee
Lord, fix my heart
So that I may be used by Thee
For I’m not worthy
Of all these blessings
Give me a clean heart, Lord, And I’ll follow thee.

The old gospel hymn, “Give Me a Clean Heart,” expresses the sincere desire of those who love the Lord. It is an earnest prayer for humility and a pure heart, a willingness to submit and obey God’s purposes.  The Books of 1 and 2 Samuel provide us with an exemplary account of a man after God’s own heart, King David. “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”  1 Samuel 16:7.

The prophet Samuel informed the first monarch of Israel, King Saul, that, due to his disobedience, God had sought a man after his own heart to lead His people on the throne.  “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” Act 13:22.

Exactly what does it mean to be a man after God’s own heart? My friends, Jesus gives us the answer!  “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37. When we love God with all our mind, heart, and soul…we will seek to follow His commands, and serve Him only.

Saul, in his disobedience, failed to follow God’s commands; jealousy, rage, obsession, and wrath had taken hold of his heart. He no longer had the Spirit of the Lord guiding and keeping his actions; he even made numerous attempts to kill David, trying to eradicate him from his sight for fear he would take over his kingdom.

By contrast, the Spirit of the Lord was with David. He respected and loved the Lord’s anointed King Saul, regardless of his treatment and desire to murder him. David’s purity of heart and God’s divine favor allowed him to forgive and respect even his enemy. Scripture goes on to tell us that King Saul and his son Jonathan were ultimately killed, and the news reached David. Even though King Saul turned to despise and hate David, this was not a joyous occasion, or triumphal victory, but one of mourning and sorrow for those David honoured, loved, and respected. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44.

We learn from David’s life and actions. It is a clear picture of God’s selfless love that should be displayed to our neighbors. “For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.” Luke 6:32. It is quite easy to love those who love us back, but the love of God in our hearts should be extended to all men, especially to those who do not love us in return. It is a clear example of Christ’s unconditional love for us; the lost will know and see God by our love.

If we make choices to live in the spirit of the world, how will others know that we are the children of God? Where is our testimony? We can rest assured that when we follow God’s commands and seek Him with our whole heart… He will use every one of our trials, tribulations, and triumphant victories as a testimony for His glory. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13. So, hold on, keep the faith…God is only using you!

My friends, let us resolve to search our hearts and motives in all that we do… may God give us a clean and pure heart to follow and serve Him only! “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10. 

God’s blessings of love, grace, and great joy be with us all!