Return of the Prodigal

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.”
(Romans 8:14)
“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

One is coming up on his 30th birthday. . .
One is somewhere around his 10th birthday. . .
Both blessed me—on the same day—with a heart turned toward the Lord. . .
One of the most puzzling titles bestowed upon a man in Scripture, in my opinion, is where King David is called a “man after God’s own heart.” How can that possibly be?
I mean, look at some of David’s actions: adulterer (with Bathsheba). Murderer (of Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba). Man of blood (Shimei called him that; it must have been true—God wouldn’t let him build the temple because of it). Probably not-so-hot parent (whatever Absalom’s rebellion proves). Prideful (took a census—against God’s wishes—just because he was “feeling his oats”). And so it goes. . .
And yet God calls this sinner a man after His own heart? What gives? Well, the operative word here is “sinner.” It’s not that David did not sin—it was how he responded immediately after sinning that belies his heart toward God. The seven “penitential” Psalms of King David chronicle his response:
Psalm 6— “The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.”
Psalm 32— “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.”
Psalm 38— “I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.”
Psalm 51— “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 102— “Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you.”
Psalm 130— “But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.”
Psalm 143— “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”
THAT is why God said that David’s heart was “after” Him. . .
Our chapel speaker was once a CPA student—probably fifteen years ago or longer. He was a carefree, fun-loving guy when he was in school here. He also went down some wrong, dark paths in life—living a lifestyle that was antithetical to a Christian, let alone a student at CPA. At some point it was decided that it was best that he find another school.

A couple of years ago, he asked for an appointment with me. He came to say, “I want to ask your forgiveness for all the trouble I caused you—and I want to apologize for who I was back then.” I certainly forgave him—and we prayed together. Today he is married, has two children—and has visited seventeen nations sharing the Gospel as a missionary.

A current student (age 10 or so) went to his parents and said, “I have done something wrong.” They suggested that he “tell Mr. Anderson.” He told me what he had done, apologized—and prepared to make restitution. I assured him that I forgive him, CPA forgives him—but that, more importantly, God forgives him. And we prayed together.
The issue is never “are we sinners?” The issue is “how soft are our hearts toward the Lord’s Holy Spirit?” and “will we receive His thorough cleansing through the Blood?”
Our 30-year-old friend is doing just fine. Our 10-year-old friend is gonna be just fine as well—as a man of God, as a “vessel fit for the Master’s use.”

SOLI DEO GLORIA.