Sunday Wellspring: A Heart That Pleases God — Akym Onyekwere Uche (Psalm 51:10, Acts 13:22)

A heart that pleases God is not one that is merely religious or outwardly moral, it is a heart that is honest, humble, and wholly surrendered to God. In Psalm 51:10, David prays, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” David made this powerful plea after his fall into sin, reminding us that even those deeply devoted to God can falter. Yet what made David different, and why he is still called “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22), was his genuine repentance and desire to be restored. God is not looking for perfect people, He is seeking people whose hearts are soft and responsive to Him.

God values the condition of our hearts above all else. In 1 Samuel 16:7, God tells Samuel, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” This is a clear reminder that our external actions, titles, or religious rituals cannot replace a heart aligned with God's will. A heart that pleases God is one that treasures righteousness, seeks truth, and remains faithful even in secret. It is shaped not by pride or performance, but by integrity and reverence for God.

David’s example shows that a heart after God is marked by repentance and dependence. In Psalm 51, we see his brokenness, not just over the consequences of his sin, but over having offended God Himself. He cries in verse 17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” God is pleased not with empty rituals but with sincere remorse and a willingness to turn from sin. A heart that pleases God acknowledges failure and asks for grace.

Moreover, a heart that pleases God delights in obedience. In John 14:15, Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Obedience is not just an act, it flows from love. David’s life, despite its flaws, was characterized by a longing to do God’s will. In Acts 13:22, God said, “I have found David...a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” The true test of a God-pleasing heart is not how much we say we love God, but how willing we are to do what He says.

Another essential trait is humility. In James 4:6, Scripture says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” A proud heart cannot please God because pride makes us self-reliant and resistant to correction. Humility, on the other hand, keeps us teachable, submissive, and conscious of our need for God's mercy. David was a king, yet he bowed before God like a servant, this humility is part of what pleased God.

A heart that pleases God also trusts Him completely. Proverbs 3:5–6 urges us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” God is pleased when we depend on Him fully, not just in times of trouble, but as a lifestyle. A trusting heart does not waver with circumstances but remains anchored in God’s promises.

Furthermore, such a heart seeks God continually. David wrote in Psalm 27:8, “My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.” God takes delight in hearts that pursue intimacy with Him, not merely for what He gives, but for who He is. A God-pleasing heart longs to dwell in His presence, worship in spirit and truth, and commune with Him daily.

In conclusion, a heart that pleases God is not about perfection but posture, a posture of repentance, obedience, humility, trust, and longing for God. David’s life was far from flawless, but his heart remained tethered to God’s will. When our hearts are right before God, everything else; our character, decisions, and destiny, will begin to align with His purpose.