You know the saying: “Practice makes perfect?”, well it turns out kids these days are learning a different version of the idiom that says: “Practice makes progress”. Perfection isn’t the goal, and in many cases isn’t even attainable. But progress is certainly achievable.
This is what is at the heart (no pun intended) of the call of David in 1 Samuel 16, and as King David would later pen in Psalm 51. “Create in me a clean heart” is not about having a perfect heart – one that is spotless and flawless, but rather having the self awareness that we aren’t perfect and we are in need of God’s help, time and time again, to be transformed into Christ-likeness. King David is a rock star of the faith, but he wasn’t a perfect man, a perfect monarch, or a perfect follower of God. But he knew enough to turn to God in his awareness, his vulnerability, and his fallibility. He knew enough to turn to God to be made new, and to be given another chance.
We, too, can come to God in humility asking to be made clean and new. God doesn’t look at the outward appearance. God looks at the heart – and is looking within ours, too. Will God find a humble heart within us?
This message was lead by The Reverend Jacquelyn Foxall at Knox Presbyterian Church in Oakville, Ontario, Thanksgiving Sunday October 19th, 2025 LIVE Service
Associated Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 51:10-14