Solomon's key

At community group last night we reviewed a little of the history of King David. God describes David as "a man after My own heart, who shall fulfill all My will." In the chronicles of the kings all the rest of Israel's rulers are compared to David. That's pretty serious, and I never really understood it since David was guilty of adultery and conspiracy and murder. He killed a man to cover up the fact that he had impregnated that man's wife. I never got how God could give such a glowing review to someone who had done such a hideous thing. It's actually bothered me for a long time, although I didn't realize it. I feel like the pieces finally came together, though.
In Luke, Jesus said that he had been praying for Simon Peter. Jesus Christ, praying to God the Father, and just for Simon the fisherman. "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." [Luke 22:31-32]
That your faith may not fail. Jesus already knows that Peter is going to deny him, deny even knowing him. He is praying for Peter's repentance on the other side of failure. And that's what made David a man after God's own heart - not that he was sinless! That his repentance was always true, and complete, and swift on the heels of conviction. That we repent is paramount to God, not that we don't sin. God, like Jesus knew of Peter, knows we will deny Him. But when the Holy Spirit pricks our heart, we must run to him and not away. That is the act of a repentant heart.
"From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, Repent! For the kingdom of Heaven is at hand." [Mat 4:17]
You ever want to hear a sermon delivered by God? There it is. Repent.

Lately I've been splitting linguistic hairs, and I don't even know why. I don't mean to. I'm sorry. Like when you asked if you could help me on Wednesday night and I just said something stupid instead of "Thank you, that is really nice of you" like I should have done. I felt bad about it, because I don't even know why I said it. I imagine you'll say 'it's a small thing', and you are right, but small is not the same as meaningless. <--- there, see, I did it again. But that difference does matter, so I apologize to you, and I will turn again.

-J