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A PERFECT HEART (I)
TUESDAY, APRIL 6
1 Chronicles 28:1-10

1 Kings 2:1-4

“…the LORD searcheth

all hearts…”

A PERFECT HEART (I)
 
David’s charge to Solomon, when the latter was to begin his reign, includes this exhortation to serve God with a “perfect heart” (1 Chron 28:9). The word “perfect” here comes from the same Hebrew root as the word for “peace” (also the root of Solomon’s name). The idea is of a heart that is peaceful, unwavering, fully fixed and set on a particular goal and course. A “perfect heart” then, in this context, is a heart that is fixed, unwavering on seeking after the Lord and walking in His ways, without restlessness or agitation.
 
This perfect heart is founded on a recognition of God’s sovereign person, not an academic knowledge, but the knowledge of personal relationship. It is not enough to rely on his father’s piety or the fact of his father’s instruction; Solomon must know God for himself: hence David charges him, “know thou the God of thy father” (v 9). This personal relationship involves a recognition also of God’s sovereign knowledge. He is the God who “searcheth all hearts” (v 9), and knows even what is hidden to all others. The kind of perfect heart that Solomon must have is one that can withstand, not merely man’s scrutiny, but God’s.
 
There is finally a recognition of God’s sovereign judgment. God’s knowledge of the heart is not the knowledge of a mere observer, but the knowledge of a judge: there are consequences if our hearts are not perfect before Him. The perfect heart that seeks fixedly after God will find Him, and find Him to be gracious; the heart that forsakes God will be cast off for ever (v 9).
 
This charge was given to Solomon in the context of service. God had called him to a particular task, the building of the temple (v 6) ‒ as a servant of the God who searches all hearts, and understands “all the imaginations of the thoughts,” Solomon was to “serve… with a perfect heart and with a willing mind” (v 9). The same charge therefore applies to us, for we each have our particular calling from God. Dear reader, are you faithful to do what God has called you to do, with a heart perfect and unwaveringly fixed on following Him?
 
THOUGHT: Am I serving God with a perfect heart and willing mind?

PRAYER: “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6)

 
 

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