The Heart of David

This week at house church we talked about a word that Ken Lang, a good friend of ours, e-mailed to us concerning the heart. It concerns the convicted condition of the heart when we sin against God. So that we are all on the same page, sin is not just what the world considers bad, like murder or theft. Sin is disobedience to God. Sin is not determined on a sliding scale of "how evil is it?" Sin is disobeying God. Period.

A convicted heart is a sign that God wants to forgive AND you really want to be forgiven. It is when the heart no longer feels God's conviction that we are hopeless. Here is what my brother Ken Lang had to say on the matter:

1 Samuel 24:1-6
(1) And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. (2) Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. (3) And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. (4) And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. (5) And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.

2 Samuel 24:10
(10) And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

"We know David had a heart after God, but apparently his heart also convicted him when he sinned. One is when he cut Saul’s skirt and the other is when he numbered the people. If you are familiar with the first passage, then you know David was being chased by Saul who wanted to kill him. The reason being David excelled at all he did and more honor was attributed to him than Saul. It is amazing how jealousy can even affect even the king. In the process of Saul chasing him, David eased up near him at a vulnerable time and cut Saul’s skirt. I am sure out of frustration David simply wanted Saul to know he could have killed him if he wanted, but let Saul live out of respect for his office. Even so, David’s heart knew despite Saul’s murderous intentions he allowed Saul to influence his behavior. David didn’t like what he saw in himself. Perhaps in your dealings with the world, or possibly church leadership, you may have allowed another’s sin to push you into a sinful wrong response. If your heart is convicted, then it is a good sign you can stop before the influence goes any further."

Thank you Ken for your insights and your willingness to share with the body.