The Heart of First and Second Chronicles The heart or mind is an important part of man. The Bible has much to say about how man must treat his heart. The results of a neglected heart are set forth vividly in the Scriptures. Since the Bible has so much to say about the heart, man needs to take a very serious look at his heart condition. One of the very valuable subjects dealt with in the books of First and Second Chronicles is the condition of the heart. We would do well to examine the kinds of hearts set forth in these books and see if our heart is in a condition that is acceptable to God. Let’s notice some: 1. United Heart—1 Chron. 12:17,38; 2 Chron. 30:12. The heart of unity is a necessity if one is to please God and work with our brethren. David knew that a divided heart could lead to destruction The Israelites who made David king did so with “one heart.” In the days of Hezekiah, God gave the people of Judah a united heart in order that they might obey him. We sorely need the united heart in the church today. David spoke of the joy of unity in Psalm 133:1. Paul encouraged the church at Rome to “be of the same mind toward one another” (Rom. 12:16) Peter exhorted the brethren to be “like minded” (1 Peter 3:8). The united heart will solve many church problems and head off division. The united heart will motivate us to take the gospel to the lost. May we all strive for a united heart? 2. Double Heart—1 Chron. 12:33. The men of Zebulon are complimented or not having this heart problem. The man of a double heart cannot be trusted or believed (Psa. 12:2). James says a double-mined man is “unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). The opposite of the double heart would be a heart of truth. Paul exhorts us to “speak ye truth each one with his neighbor” (Eph. 4:25). We need to fight against the double heart. 3. Perfect Heart—1 Chron. 12:38;28:9,19; 2Chron. 15:17; 16:9l 19:9. The perfect heart is one that is whole, sound or unimpaired. When one has a perfect heart for God, there is no room for evil. The people who came to David king had no room for a rival. David wanted Solomon to give God his undivided allegiance. A perfect heart in giving brought joy to God’s people. Asa’s heart was on the will of God. God is strong on the behalf of the perfect-hearted man. The leaders of God’s people were to lead as God had directed with their complete heart. When we give service to God with a perfect heart, it will not be a divided heart or service. The man with a perfect heart has no time, place, talent or energy for the works of the devil. 4 Despising Heart—1 Chron. 15:29. Michael’s heart was not that of a devoted wife. A despising heart caused the death of Christ (Isa. 53:2:3). We must be careful not to despise those who disagree with us. One must guard his heart diligently in order not to let it become a despising heart. 6. Contemplating Heart—1 Chron. 17:2; 28:2;29:18; 2 Chron 6:7,8;7:11;29:10. David thought about the things he could do for God. Solomon used his heart to put the proper things in the house of God. The heart of Hezekiah was thinking about pleasing god. Brethren, we would do well to use our hearts to contemplate the tings we can do for God. We need to think about things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and of good report (Phil. 4:8). If we spent more time contemplating what we can do for God, we would spend more time doing something for God. We could use a heart that pleases to do well. 7.  Set Heart—1 Chron. 22:19; 2 Chron 11:16;19:3;30:19. The heart is to set to seek God and do His will. The setting of the heart determines the destination in life much as the rudder of a ship determines the destination the ship (James 3:4). How much work could be accomplished for Christ if each member of the church would set his heart to God’s will? Let us all encourage the other to do his best and to set his heart to seek God. A failure to act to set the heart on God results in a evil life (2 Chron. 12:14. 8. Tried Heart—1Chron. 28:9; 29:17;2 Chron. 6;30; 32:31. God knows what we think and why we act (Psa. 7:9; Proverb 17:3). Jeremiah recognized that God knows the true man (Jer. 12:3) What does God find when He tries our hearts? May we work diligently not to be found wanting in our hearts. 9. Upright Heart—1Chorn. 29;17; 2 Chron. 1:11; 29:34). The upright heart will cause one to give willingly to God. The uprightness of Solomon’s heart brought blessings. The levites sanctified themselves because of the condition of their heart. This condition of heart characterized such Bible greats as David (1 Kings 3: 6) and Job (Job 1:4). The upright heart will keep one from evil. 10. Complete heart—2 Chron. 6:14; 15:12;,15; 22:9; 31;20,21; 34:31. Serving God with the complete heart causes one to enjoy the loving kindness of God. Complete heart service brings one to keep covenant with God. Jehosaphat was a Royal Reformer because God had his heart. Hezekiah did great work for God because he has firs given God his heart. Josiah’s great reign was characterized by complete heart service. Jesus teaches us that this is the kind of allegiance that God desire (Matt. 22:37) The complete heart and the perfect heart are near kinsmen. Let us cultivate this type of service to God. This is the type heart that was needed because his is the only true way that repentance can come (2 Chron. 6:38). 11. Inquisitive heart—2 Chron. 9:1. The Queen of Sheba came to get answers. She was not afraid to ask questions. We need hearts today, that ask, What must I do to be saved” What must I do to live for Jesus” What more can I do in God’s service” etc. Jesus teaches us that we need to ask (Matt. 7:7). James encourages us to ask wisdom from God (James 1:5,6). May we all have hearts that are ready to ask the proper questions? 12. Imperfect Heart—2Chron. 25:2.  Amaziah began well but ended badly. The end will always be bad for a man who served God with an imperfect heart. This heart will cause a man to listen to the Bible sometimes (2 Chron. 25:4;1-10) and completely ignores it sometimes (2 Chron. 25:14-16). The imperfect heart will cause one to be unduly concerned with money (2 Chron. 25:9; 1 Tim. 6:10, 17-19). Perhaps one of the reasons we have so much apathy among Christians is that they try to serve God with imperfect hearts. Let us trade the imperfect heart for one of complete service to God. 13. Proud Heart—2 Chron. 25:19;26:16; 32:25,26). Truly Solomon was on target when he said, “ Pride goeth before destruction” (Prov. 16:18) and “ A man’s pride shall bring him low” (Prov. 29:23). When Amaziah forsook God because of his pride, he was brought low. Uzziah insulted god because of his pride. Jesus rebuked the proud heart ( LK. 18:9-14).  “The fear of god is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance…”(Prov. 8: 13). “ God resisteth the proud….”(James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). The power of the devil lies in pride (1 Tim. 30-6; 1 John 2:15-17). The opposite heart to the proud heart, is the one that is “ lifted up in the ways of God” (2 Chron. 17:6) Let us resist the proud heart. 14. Willing Heart – 2 Chron. 29:31. The willing heart causes one to worship God as He has directed. A willing heart causes one to give as he should (EX. 35:5, 22-29; 2 Cor. 9:6,7). We surely need this type of heart in the church. To Christians with a willing heart, service to God is a pleasure. The willing heart will erase chronic absenteeism, lack of interest, lack of participation and many other things that plague the church. What joy it is to serve God with a willing heart. 15. Tender heart—2 Chron. 34:27. The tender heart of Josiah caused him to humble himself before God. The reaction of Josiah came as a result of hearing the Word of God, Men, today, need to have this condition of heart when they hear the Word of God. Paul tells us that faith comes from hearing god’s Work (Rom. 10:9-17). If a man is to please God he must react favorable to the Word of God. When God’s Word fins a tender heart, fruit will be brought fourth (LK. 8:15). 16. Hard Heart—2 Chron. 36:13; Zedekiah rebelled against god because his heart was hard. This heart is just the opposite of the tender heart. This condition of heart characterized Pharaoh (Ex. 7:13; 8:15) the Egyptians (Ex. 14:17; 1 Sam.6:6), the Israelites (Psa. 95:8; Ezek. 3:7; Nehemiah 9:16,17,29). Nebuchanezzar (Daniel 5:20), and the Pharisees (Mk. 3:5). The Bible warns us of the consequences of a hard heart (Prov. 28:14; 29:1) and encourages us not to harden our hearts (Heb. 3:8, 15; 4:4). May we ever guard against the hard heart? These are some of the hearts that are dealt with the first and second Chronicles, Some are good, and some are bad. Let each examine himself and determine if the condition of his heart will cause him to submit to god and gain heaven. Let us always be reminded of the exhortation of Solomon; “ Keep thy heart with all diligence: for out of it are the issues of life.” (Prov. 4:23).