Psalms 51:10-12 "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right[a] spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."
David is called a “man after God’s own heart.” Considering that he lusted after his neighbor's wife, committed adultery with her, and had her husband murdered, that’s a remarkable description of him. How could convicted murderer and an adulterer also be called one after God’s own heart?
The answer is simple but profound: God did not regard David according to the actions of his sinful nature, but according to the deepest motivations and disposition of his heart; and these were revealed by David's response to the conviction which Nathan the prophet brought upon him; a conviction which brought immediate total confession and repentance, and a broken and contrite heart. This response exemplified the shepherd king's walk with God throughout entire life.
If, David had made excuses, rationalized, or resisted the clear message of his sinfulness it would have been a totally different story. His heart would have revealed a self-justifying, self-righteous attitude with no realization that he needed God's mercy. This would have defined him as a man after his own heart. But the immediacy and completeness of David's confession qualified him for the Lord's forgiveness and mercy and restoring him to a relationship with God.
The consequences of his sin were very serious and followed David all the days of his life. But David always rose up, submitted, and humbly praised God, writing psalms and pouring out his heart before the Lord. He served God and worshiped Him all his life. So the Lord God didn't reckon David’s life by his fall – but by his walk, and by his heart.
We all stumble, but God does not define us by our failures. It's our love for Him and our honesty that reveals a true walk of faith! So if you fell, you messed up, you sinned - then come clean. Make your confession. Allow the Lord to forgive and restore you completely. That was David's heart. MY hope for all of us is that we live our lives “after God’s own heart!”