“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...” (1 Chronicles 29:17, NLT)

From his earliest days, David understood that while man looks on the outward, God looks on the heart. It was for this reason that God passed over David’s older brothers and chose him to be king of Israel.

But David’s heart had not always been so pure. He had shown himself capable of great sin. Yet even in his times of failure, David had come to understand that God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6). He invited God to search him and know his heart (Psalm 139:23). Perhaps this is why David was considered a man after God’s own heart.

What is in our hearts? What does God see? How long has it been since we’ve invited Him to search our hearts? Have we asked Him to purify our motives?

It grieves me when I see people with impure motives. Their hearts are bound by bitterness, envy, greed, lust, or selfish ambition. They are not seeking truth in the inward parts but rather self-indulgence. But then I realize that my own heart is deceitful, and I too can be corrupted by impure motives. I may think that I am seeking to please God, but then I delight in receiving the praises of people. How I need the sharp two-edged sword of the Word to discern the thoughts and intents of my heart! (Hebrews 4:12).

David came to the end of his life with fullness of joy because he knew that he had a heart of integrity. He had faithfully invited God to examine him and purify his motives. Now he was reaping the benefits of a clear conscience.

As we enter the Christmas season, let us follow David’s example so that we too may have hearts of integrity that overflow with joy!