Examine Your Heart

Meditate. Examine your heart.

I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously. 1 Chronicles 29:17

This scripture passage was one that David prayed to God near the end of his life just before his son, Solomon, became king. David had such a close relationship with the Lord God—one that we should strive to have in our own lives. He wasn’t sinless, but he was obedient to the Lord. He opened his life—heart, soul and mind to God and allowed God to work in his life. By studying the scriptures David knew what God’s commandment were.

For David had done what was pleasing in the LORD's sight and had obeyed the LORD's commands throughout his life, except in the affair concerning Uriah the Hittite. 1 Kings 15:5

Ezra, author of First and Second Chronicles, tells us that David knew that God examines our hearts and likes it when He finds we have integrity—honesty. That is a pretty important attribute. I see it as what a person does when no one is looking. God sees everything—so He knows each person level of integrity.

I did a word search for “integrity” on Banquet With The King blog and was amazed at the number of times I’ve written about integrity. Try it for yourself. Lots of discussion over almost ten years of blogging. God addresses “integrity” in numerous Old Testament scripture passages, mainly in the Psalms associated with David.

How many times have you considered the integrity of your life…of your heart in the last ten years? Most importantly, how is your relationship with the Lord? Can you be perfectly honest with the Lord…and with yourself?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, people recognized You as a man of honesty…and high integrity…as well as a good teacher. Whether it was a Pharisee or a common man, if they asked You what they must do to inherit eternal life You said…“But to answer your question, you know the commandments: 'You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.'" "Teacher," the man replied, "I've obeyed all these commandments since I was young." Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. "There is still one thing you haven't done," he told him. "Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Mark 10:19-22. We know that to have eternal life we must repent of our sins and follow You—live a life pleasing to You—and telling others about the Good News of the salvation that You provide to those who believe.

Verses of Salvation ~ If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. Romans 10:9-10

Verse of Thanksgiving ~ A psalm of David. I give you thanks, O LORD, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. Psalm 138:1-2

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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