Why David was a “Man After God’s Own Heart”
Have you had a hard time letting go of your
past and accepting God’s grace in your life? Read below why David was a"Man After God's Own Heart. Acts 13:22 says, “After removing
Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found
David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him
to do.‘”
Nevertheless, for David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in
Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and by making Jerusalem strong.
For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not failed to
keep any of the LORD’s commands all the days of his life—except
in the case of Uriah the Hittite. 1 Kings 15:4-5
NIV (Emphasis mine)
Do you see that? After David’s life had ended, God’s word still
records him as a man following after God’s own heart…except in the case of the
fall with Bathsheba.
What’s my point? How does that impact your life?
That one “except” in your life….that one moment…that one season…that period
of indiscretion…does not disqualify you from being a man (or woman) after God’s
own heart. I know too many people who have disqualified themselves from
God’s call on their life because of their past mistakes, but I’m not sure God
has disqualified them. Bottom line: Your actions don’t determine
your standing with God; your heart does. Actions indicate a heart’s
direction, so if there is repetitive, unrepentant sin in your life, one would
have to question your heart, but if your heart desires to be like Christ and
give Him glory with your life, don’t beat yourself up for your
exceptions. Keep in mind, people can say about you whatever they choose
to, but no one knows your heart (other than God) like you do.
An often-confusing term concerning
the Biblical character of David is the term “man after God’s own heart”. Have you ever wondered what that
really means? What does that kind of heart even look like? There is one verse from the writings of David that I believe
perhaps best captures the meaning behind this phrase.
I
said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”
(Psalms 16:2)
That’s it. Pretty simple, huh?
But, it’s really not that simple.
David recognized that the only good
in him was the God in him. Great godly leaders and people are willing to step
aside from their own need for ego building and self-confidence and humble
themselves before an almighty God.
Next time someone asks you why David
was called “a man after God’s own heart”, point him or her to Psalm 16:2. It’s
an attitude of heart…of recognition…of worship.
The following words describe the
heart of David as seen in his own writings:
David had an attitude of heart and God recognized all of these attributes of David.
Humble – Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie;
if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.
Psalm 62:9
Reverent – I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am
saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:3
Respectful – Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes
grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. Psalm 31:9
Trusting – The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
Loving – I love you, O Lord, my strength. Psalm 18:1
Devoted – You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their
grain and new wine abound. Psalm 4:7
Recognition – I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell
of all your wonders. Psalm 9:1
Faithful – Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of
my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6
Obedient – Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey
it with all my heart. Psalm 119:34
Repentant – For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity,
though it is great. Psalm 25:11
David’s example is a great road map
for how we are to live our life.
Which of these areas need
your greatest attention for improvement? Focus your life from this day forward on being like Christ and being found
faithful.
