These are words I have prayed, meditated on, stated loudly and uttered softly for many years.  But one day as I prayed these words, there was a “quickening” in my spirit that caused me to pause… and I was led to look deeper into why this proverbial petition was first prayed by King David; then by countless others for centuries.

Most of us know the history-making story of King David and Bathsheba. David coveted and/or “lusted” after and committed adultery with Bathsheba, impregnated her; and after a couple of failing attempts to get her husband Uriah (also a very loyal soldier to David) home to be with her, David ordered that Uriah be strategically positioned on the frontline in the “fiercest” battle, and then left alone; hence intentionally murdering Uriah to cover up what he had done. 

After Bathsheba’s time of mourning for her husband’s death passed, seven days, David brought her to his house, took her as his wife, and she then gave birth to their son.  But the Bible says: “the thing David had done displeased the Lord.” 2 Samuel 11: 27

The Lord sent Nathan, the Prophet, to rebuke David. He began to share a story in the manner of a parable, with David, about a rich man who had a very large number of sheep and a poor man who had nothing except one little ewe (female) lamb; and how the rich man, who had everything, took and killed the lamb, the only possession the poor man had, for his own selfish use.  David thought the story was factual, and the Bible says that David burned with anger against the man, and declared “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves to die!”  But, of course, in reality the story was about the sin David had committed so Nathan said to David “You are the man!” Nathan then began to declare the Word of the Lord to David.  David’s eyes were opened and he then confessed “I have sinned against the Lord.” 2 Samuel 12:13

Thereafter, David’s sinful actions of covetousness, adultery, and murder brought “calamity” upon him, but David understood that it was, in fact, his own “heart,” that had enabled him to carry out such evil deeds.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? - I the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give everyman according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”  Jeremiah 17: 9-10

One month, or even one day before David committed adultery with Bathsheba, I’m pretty certain no one could have convinced him that in a matter of hours he would take another man’s wife, impregnate her, and later have her husband killed, then marry her.   But David’s heart was unguarded and sin had entered in. David chewed on it, (his fleshly desire/sin), “swallowed” it and the rest is a historical tragedy. (Note: David was also not where he was supposed to be…he was supposed to be at war but he sent his army instead of leading them to war…so he was “Idle,” doing pretty much nothin’…but that’s a lesson within itself)

Proverbs 4:23 tells us to Keep or guard our hearts with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

“Issue”: an outgoing; outflow- a result or consequence- A sending or giving out…offspring

Jesus says in Mark 7:21

“For from within, out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.”

Every single issue of which we willfully initiate, partake in, or cause; good or evil, infiltrates our hearts first.  It enters; we then contemplate it for a moment or for a substantial amount of time. But it is not possible for us to carry it out if our “heart” or our “will” does not accept it or “settle” with it first.

 “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, -A heart that devises wicked plans” 

Proverbs 6:16-18a

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, -But whoever walks wisely will be delivered. Proverbs 28:26

It’s apparent that our own hearts cannot be trusted.  We would find ourselves “missing” the mark more often than not if we trust in our own heart or believe that we are always “thinking” rightly.  See, within us are hidden faults:

“Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.

Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins….

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord…”

Psalm 19” 12, 13a, 14

“Search me oh God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139: 23-24

Clearly, by the Spirit of God, David had an understanding of a man’s heart and the need of the Lord’s purification thus David prayed accordingly:

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast (unwavering) spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51: 10-11

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—

These, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17

Sin within our hearts blind us, jeopardize the joy of our salvation, and weaken our relationship with Father.

“But the Lord said to Samuel…..For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  I Samuel 16: 7b

 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? –While it remained, was it not your own?  Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”  Acts 5:3-4

“You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. –Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. –For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Acts 8:21-23 (Read Chapter 8)

David was an Anointed man of God. But we know that all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. However, we can rejoice because the Lord has also given us His Spirit. We have been instructed to walk in the Spirit and not after the Flesh. The works of the Flesh come out of the “heart.”  

But when we fall short, when our hearts are not “right,” or we’re not thinking on the things that are “pure;” we can confess, repent, and know that through Jesus, our Lord, our redeemer, and our Purification, that our hearts are cleansed; and it is the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, that will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

It is no wonder that many have prayed as David prayed; those who desire to love God with All of their Heart; those who desire an intimate relationship with our Beautiful Father through Jesus, our Savior; those who long for God and who have the desire to see God, and the yearning to rest in His Abiding Presence and have the complete Joy of the Lord’s Salvation. For it is a Clean heart, a Pure heart, that is absolutely necessary for a sweet communion between us and our Holy Father.

“Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His Holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart …” Psalm 24: 3-5

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

--Jesus… Matthew 5:8