How To Begin the New Year

(PSA 139:23-24) "SEARCH ME, O GOD, AND KNOW MY HEART: TRY ME, AND KNOW MY THOUGHTS: {24} AND SEE IF THERE BE ANY WICKED WAY IN ME, AND LEAD ME IN THE WAY EVERLASTING."

The new year is upon us, and we look forward to another year filled with opportunities. To make the best use of the opportunities that God gives us is we must be sure that our hearts are right before Him. In 1 Sam. 13:14, David is described as being a man after God's heart. That means that he was a man who desired to know and do the will of God. In these two verses this afternoon, David asks God to do three things in his life. If we would sincerely ask God to do the same things in our lives. We might also be considered as a person who seeks after God's heart.

A. The heart is the center of our life.

B. (Prov 4:23) "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

C. (1 Sam 16:7) "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."

D. David asks God to search him and see what is in his heart.

1. God already knew what was in his heart.

2. David asks God to reveal it to him.

3. That God would make him conscious of any wrong desires or motives that might hinder the blessings of God upon his life.

1. We should ask God to look into the very center of our lives.

2. And ask that He reveal to us anything in our hearts that might prevent us from being what we need to be in this coming year.

1. Much the same as we test and prove metals to evaluate their purity.

2. Gold is heated time and again to bring all the impurities to the surface where they can be removed.

3. That is what David is asking God to do.

(1 PET 1:7) "THAT THE TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH, BEING MUCH MORE PRECIOUS THAN OF GOLD THAT PERISHETH, THOUGH IT BE TRIED WITH FIRE, MIGHT BE FOUND UNTO PRAISE AND HONOUR AND GLORY AT THE APPEARING OF JESUS CHRIST:"

1. Read his mind.

2. When David said, "See if there be any wicked way in me."

3. He wasn't challenging God to try to find an area of wickedness; he was asking God to show them to him that he might confess and repent before God.

A. David asks God for direction and guideance.

(PROV 14:12) "THERE IS A WAY WHICH SEEMETH RIGHT UNTO A MAN, BUT THE END THEREOF ARE THE WAYS OF DEATH."

B. If we want to be used of God...want to have a heart after God...we must seek Him.

1. That means we must admit that we need His direction in our lives.

2. We must be willing to follow His leadership.

3. He has given us a Guide.

(JOHN 16:13) "HOWBEIT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, IS COME, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH: FOR HE SHALL NOT SPEAK OF HIMSELF; BUT WHATSOEVER HE SHALL HEAR, THAT SHALL HE SPEAK: AND HE WILL SHOW YOU THINGS TO COME."