The King's Heart

"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21 :1 NIV)

Thank God that he is Lord of the hearts of men! Though many think that God cannot in any way interfere with a man's heart, with his will and choices, this verse teaches otherwise. I know some will want to say that there is a difference between God's sovereign rule and control of nature, with his rule and direction of the watercourses, and his sovereign rule and control over the wills and hearts of men. "Man is no robot," it is argued. Yet, Solomon did not seem to share that view of things. He thought it rather perfectly legitimate to affirm that the cases are the same! He can, and does, control the hearts (thoughts, choices, and inclinations) of men as easily and as fully as he does water.

Men do not want to readily acknowledge a God of such pervasive providence and sovereignty. They want to be "free" of God to do their own thing, not wanting anyone to call them in question for it either.

"He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants." (Psalm 105: 25)

Here is a case of God "directing" the "heart," as a watercourse, and it is in the direction of evil. Evil is in the hearts of men. Sinful hate abounds there. Does the Lord not control it? Direct it? Restrain it? Surely he does. Did he not, how could we pray to him to do things in the hearts and lives of others?

Jeremiah said to the Lord - "...turn thou me, and I shall be turned." (Jeremiah 31: 18)

Salvation is the result of being turned towards the Lord. Damnation is the result of being turned in any other direction.

The heart and soul of a man is precisely where the Lord reigns. He even reigns Lord over the hearts of those who have despised and rejected him. He ruled over the heart of Hitler and Stalin.

Yes, there is a difference between the rule of God over the hearts of the righteous and over his rule over the hearts of the unrighteous. The former does not recognize or own (credit) that rule, but the latter does. Also, God's rule over the former is to turn their hearts in a different direction than that of the latter.

Sinner, do you own God's lordship and sovereignty over you? It is true whether you acknowledge it or not. In what direction is your heart pointed? Since God is Lord of the heart, he can operate on it and transform it. It is called receiving a "new heart," in the Scriptures. He is the greatest heart surgeon ever! Will you allow him to "take away" your "hard and stony heart," a heart of hate, with a "new heart" that is "soft," loving and full of joy?