◆“What It Means for the Heart to Be One with the Lord” (2 Chronicles 16:9) August 24, 2025

God is an active God. He is also a God who delights in fellowship. He longs to know people and to draw near to them. Scripture tells us that He searches throughout the world, seeking such fellowship with people.

Although He sits on His heavenly throne, His eyes roam throughout the earth. The Japanese Bible (Shinkyōdōyaku) says, “The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth.” He looks across every corner of the world, going throughout the whole earth. Beyond race, beyond national borders, beyond gender, beyond wealth or poverty, regardless of natural gifts, and regardless of what kind of life one has lived up to this point, God seeks people.

Therefore, no one needs to think, “My life is too stained. I could never know God or be His friend.” Not one person is excluded.

Then who is God looking for? Scripture says: “Those whose hearts are fully His.” When we read this, it may feel like hitting the brakes. Why? Because God is perfectly holy. He does not only see our deeds, but also the thoughts that give birth to them.

In 1 Samuel 16:7 (Shinkyōdōyaku), we read:
“I do not see as mortals see. They look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Yet, as we read the whole Bible, we see many who walked closely with God despite their failings. Moses killed a man. David took another man’s wife and even arranged her husband’s death in battle. Yet Moses is called a friend of God, and David is described as one who walked with God.

So what does it mean for the heart to be one with God? There are three aspects:

1. To live faithfully within our circumstances
2. To speak with God
3. To repent before God

Let us reflect on each of these.

King Saul acted according to his own thoughts, not in obedience to the Lord. Therefore, God prepared another king—David (1 Samuel 16–17).

When Samuel went to Jesse’s house, David was not even called. He was out tending sheep, considered insignificant. Likely, while his brothers rested or played, David alone was sent to work. It would have been natural for him to feel bitter—“Why only me?”

Yet through those experiences, David encountered the wonders of creation, and perhaps he came to see the hand of the Creator more clearly, deepening his awe and reverence. Thus God rejected the brothers and chose David, saying, “Humans look at outward appearance, but I look at the heart.”

God seeks those who, even in hardship, do not give up but instead trust Him—those who wait, pray, and look for His hand in their circumstances.

I recall my own story. When I first started working, I was assigned to sales. I was timid and afraid of people, so sales felt impossible for me. “Why me, of all people?” I thought. At that time, I was not yet a Christian and could not see any meaning in it.

But looking back, it was a vital training. I gradually gained courage to speak with people. Later, I could even stand before hundreds and proclaim God’s message without fear. That sales experience was surely part of God’s plan.

The second aspect: to be one who speaks with God. The Psalms are filled with such prayers. They are not only positive words.

For example, in Psalm 7:2–3, David prays:
“O Lord my God, I take refuge in You. Save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.”

He cries out in fear and loneliness. In Psalm 12, he laments betrayal by friends. Perhaps you too know such pain.

Yet David does not stay there. While pouring out his troubles, God listened and, at the same time, granted him peace and assurance. Later in the same psalm, David’s words shift to trust and praise.

When our hearts are full of praise, we should offer it gladly. But when praise will not come, when we are weighed down, we should pour out our pain. God listens, knows our hearts, encourages us, and leads us into trust again.

The third aspect is repentance. In Psalm 51, David prays:
“Have mercy on me, O God… Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
And also: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

He not only confesses his sin, but also places hope in God’s cleansing and renewal. Though he bore the consequences of his failure, he also came to know God’s forgiveness and peace.

When we repent, let us not only confess, but also ask for God’s cleansing and renewal.

God seeks such people. Those who live in trust, who speak with Him, who repent sincerely—these are the ones whose hearts are one with the Lord. And to them, He gives strength, reveals His power, upholds, guides, and even works miracles.

Therefore, let us respond to God’s seeking. As James 4:8 says: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

Let us accept our circumstances, look to Him with expectation, speak with Him, and repent before Him. That is the true foundation of blessing.

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Sermon script modified based on proofreading and translation with ChatGPT.