but the Lord looks at the heart

Question: Do you know anyone that you would consider having a “pure heart”?

Question: What examples do we have for what God wants to see in us?

Let’s take a look at Scripture . . .

Let’s look at the sons of Jesse and who will be selected the next king
(Jesse the father of David) . . . Remember Jesse was not a king, but one
of his son’s will be selected the next king.

1 Samuel 16:8-13 (NIV): {the profit Samuel looks for the next king}
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel
said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either."
9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen
this one."
10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The
LORD has not chosen these."
11 So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?"
      "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep."
      Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives."
12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and
handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one."
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers,
and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power.
Samuel then went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) {The Lord led Samuel to David}:
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have
rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the
outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Max Lucado (Christian Pastor and author) states about David on his website:
“. . . Moses ran from justice, but God used him. Jonah ran from God, but God used him.
Rahab ran a brothel, Samson ran to the wrong woman, Jacob ran in circles, Ruth ran to a
distant land, Elijah ran into the mountains, Sarah ran out of hope, Lot ran with the wrong
crowd, but God used them all.

And David? God saw a teenage boy, serving him in the backwoods of Bethlehem, at the
intersection of boredom and anonymity, and through the voice of a brother, God called,
“David! Come in. Someone wants to see you.”

God saw what no one else saw: a God-seeking heart. Others measure your waist size or
wallet. Not God. He examines hearts. When he finds one set on him, he calls it and
claims it.

Other notes:
King Saul attempted to kill David many times, but David did what was right in
the Lord’s eye. After Saul and his son Jonathon passed away, David does something
that shows his “heart of God” . . .

2 Samuel 4:4 (NIV):
4 (Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when
the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel . . . His name was
Mephibosheth.)

2 Samuel 9:6-7 (NIV) (David does not kill Mephibosheth}:
6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down
to pay him honor.  David said, "Mephibosheth!" "Your servant," he replied.
7 "Don't be afraid," David said to him, "for I will surely show you kindness for the sake
of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your
grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table."

Question: Do you know anyone that you would consider having a “pure heart”?

Question: What examples do we have for what God wants to see in us?

Lesson Learned:
David forgave and then he took care of Jonathon’s son!

Please also note a later king in the family of David . . . Lord Jesus.
Lord Jesus the one who forgives us of our sins.

Reference:
The following websites were referenced on August 31, 2007:

http://www.biblegateway.com

http://www.maxlucado.com/email/2006/11.01.html