Originally posted: 1/06/2020

Thus he turned the hearts of all the men of Judah as one man, (19:14).

In David’s inconsolable grief, it seems as though God’s man was not fit for the throne. And perhaps, according to the rules of engagement for war, he was not. But it was neither the rules of engagement nor strategies for success that ultimately reestablished the king to his rightful place of rule over Israel; rather, it was by the sovereign hand of God.

“Remember this, and be assured;
Recall it to mind, you transgressors.
⁹ Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;” (Isaiah 46:8-10). 

It was God’s desire for David, and God’s alone, which would be realized.

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He turns it wherever He wishes, (Proverbs 21:1).

With David’s heart turned once more to following God’s purposes, David addresses his people; and God turns the insubordinate hearts to submit to the authority of God’s anointed king, united in His calling; “Thus he turned the hearts of all the men of Judah as one man,” (19:14).

It is God Who Turns Hearts, accomplishing His will in nations, kings and individuals. While turning a nation is undoubtedly a task of epic proportions, transforming the hearts of stiff-necked, rebellious creatures is equally impossible and can only be achieved by the hand of God Almighty; for it is God alone Who Turns Hearts.

Looking at them, Jesus said,”With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God,” (Mark 10:27).

Consider Him Who Turns Hearts

• He Turns Hearts towards repentance, to become His people.
  • “And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, ²⁰ that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God,” (Ezekiel 11:19-20).
  • “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh,” (Ezekiel 36:26).

• He Turns Hearts towards wisdom, to accept His direction.
  • So teach us to number our days,
    That we may present to You a heart of wisdom, (Psalm 90:12).
  • Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    And do not lean on your own understanding.
    ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
    And He will make your paths straight, (Proverbs 3:5-6).

• He Turns Hearts to wholly desire Him, to know and receive His treasures.
  • Delight yourself in the Lord;
    And He will give you the desires of your heart, (Psalm 37:4).
  • “I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart,” (Jeremiah 24:7).

How do we respond to Him Who Turns Hearts?

• Let us turn to Him Who Turns Hearts, in repentance and humility.
  • Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    And renew a steadfast spirit within me, (Psalm 51:10).
  • “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself,
    Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.
    ²⁴ Correct me, O Lord, but with justice;
    Not with Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing,” (Jeremiah 10:23).
  • Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you, (James 4:9-10).

• Let us turn to Him Who Turns Hearts, in submission and obedience.
  • “But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you,’” (Jeremiah 7:23).
  • And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me,” (Luke 9:23).
  • Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you,  (James 4:7).

• Let us turn to Him Who Turns Hearts, in hunger and faith.
  • “I, the Lord, am your God,
    Who brought you up from the land of Egypt;
    Open your mouth wide and I will fill it,” (Psalm 81:10).
  • “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied,” (Matthew 7:6).
  • …like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, ³ if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord, (1 Peter 2:2).

• Let us turn to Him Who Turns Hearts, in His Holy Word.
  • I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait,
    And in His word do I hope, (Psalm 130:5).
  • Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
    For I trust in You;
    Teach me the way in which I should walk;
    For to You I lift up my soul, (Psalm 13:5).
  • And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true,” (Revelation 21:5).

Let us turn to Him every day, trusting He will grow us by His supernatural work. As we seek Him daily in His Inspired Word, let us believe and expect Him to Turn our Hearts towards repentance, humility, submission, obedience, hunger, and faith by the power of His Holy Spirit.

Let’s Grow Together!