Turn Your Heart Back To God



Ecclesiastes 1:17 New International Version (NIV) 

17 Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. 

Life can lead us all on a pursuit of vanities that do not quite align with the promises of God. We seek to gain an identity in our status, possessions, affiliations, and associations to find that the road succumbs to a negative return on our investment. A look at King Solomon's life is insightful. He exceeds the billionaire's status, married the most beautiful women, and had an abundance of concubines (side chicks). Somehow it was never enough for King Solomon. His wisdom envied by many; the power of his authority led men and women to obedience and submission. The King ruled all Israel, yet, his life seemed to him like chasing after the wind. 

Jonah 2:8 King James Version (KJV) 

8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. 

We search the world to quench our thirst for more, seeking to satisfy our vanities, and often we will stop at nothing until we conquer our objectives. The problem that persists with these journeys is that we find ourselves making detours that take us off the pathways that are soul-satisfying. They often led us to stray far from the will of God. 

Psalm 119:105 King James Version (KJV) 

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 

Wise King Solomon was chosen by God to be prosperous, to reign on his throne with great success. The King turned his heart away from God to satisfy the lust of his flesh. Turning our head to worldly things always draw our hearts away from God. 

1 Kings 11:4 New International Version (NIV) 

4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 

King Solomon lost control of Israel after his death because of turning his heart away from God. After his death, his son inherited Jerusalem because of God’s promise to King David.   

1 Kings 11:13 New International Version (NIV) 

13 Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.” 

Just like King Solomon, we all find ourselves venturing out on journeys that God has not called us to pursue in life. Honestly, we can become obsessed with fulfilling the desires that kindle in our hearts.  

Revelation 2:4-5 New International Version (NIV) 

4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 

We must each ask ourselves: 

Have I forsaken God for my own heart’s desires? 

Have I considered how far I have fallen? 

Do I need to repent because I have turned to other gods? 

Will I turn my heart back to God?