A HEART OF GOD’S OWN DESIRE

 

Greetings in the Precious Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from Shalom Family Enrichment Mission family. I would like to share with you a portion from the scripture which is found in Acts, Chapter 13 verses 16 to 23. Verse 22 says, “And when He deposed Saul, He raised up David to be their king; of him He bore witness and said, “I have found David, son of Jessi, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will and carry out My programme fully” [I Sam.13:14; Ps.89:20]. How would you like to be remembered? Saints such as Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, and Paul have inspired believers throughout the ages. Each of them, although imperfect, is an amazing example of what the Lord can do through hearts that are truly committed to Him. Do you want to be like them—a person who honors God wholeheartedly?

Of all these people, David is an excellent example to be followed. He did not go to the battle field, saw a woman bathing, fell in love with that woman, had an illegal contact with her; and when came to know about her pregnancy, killed her husband; had an illegal child which ultimately died. And with all that the LORD God calls him, “A man after My own heart”. But at the core of everything David had a desire to exalt the LORD. The prime factor behind all he did was a thankful heart. The Father wants our paths to be governed by His plans, our interests to be defined by His purposes, and our love to motivate us to obey Him without reservation. When we pursue God’s heart, we find life at its best and a legacy worth leaving to those who come after us.

DAVID’S HEART’S DESIRES

1. TOP PRIORITY

From the life of David and the Psalms he had written, we could easily come to the conclusion that his top priority in his life was seeking after and pleasing God’s heart. That was his relationship with the LORD. David had an overwhelming love and respect for Scripture because it taught him how to draw closer to the Father (Ps. 119:15-16, 105). He often sought God in prayer for strength, wisdom, and the Father’s wonderful presence (Ps. 5:3, 63:6-8).

2. TRUST IN THE LORD

David trusted in God no matter what hardship he faced. While the rest of Israel’s warriors trembled before Goliath’s terrifying nine-foot frame and his defying the army of God, David was outraged by how the Philistine dishonored God’s name (1 Sam. 17:45-46). Throughout his life, he endured extraordinary challenges with great confidence that the Lord would help him. That is why we read in Psalm 16, a Miktam, a psalm of pouring out his heart, “I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” Because of David’s faith and leadership, Israel prospered in a manner unsurpassed to this day.

3. STRONG AND PASSIONATE DESIRE TO OBEY

As a man after God’s heart, David delighted in accomplishing the Lord’s will. His obedience wasn’t motivated by the fear of sin’s consequences. Rather, it was David’s trust and love for God that led him to submit wholly to the Lord. On two occasions, David had the opportunity to kill Saul and take the throne of Israel. Yet he preferred to be obedient to God than to be the king (1 Sam. 24:6).

4. A SPIRIT OF HUMILITY

When he was anointed with oil from the horn by Samuel (I Sam. 16:13), he knew he was going to be the king. Yet this future king also shows us that a person with a heart for God is humble. David had many reasons to be proud—he was a handsome man, a skilled musician, the Lord’s anointed ruler, a triumphant warrior, and a national hero. Yet in 2 Samuel 7:18, David said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?”

5. A SPIRIT OF SERVANT-HOOD.

When he was young, David accepted his father’s authority and obediently tended sheep. As a worker in Saul’s household, David offered his very best to the king, including his musical talents and skills as a military leader. Finally, David served the people of Israel wholeheartedly as their king. In each instance, he was a dedicated, faithful servant of God.

Do you desire to mirror God’s heart and to influence those around you for good? You would be wise to follow David’s example. Make your relationship with the Lord a top priority, and trust and obey Him in everything. When you succeed, remember that all you are and have is a gift from God. Then you will show the world that your heart belongs exclusively to Him.

 

PRAYER: Change me Lord, to be a man after Your heart. Give me the grace Lord through Jesus Christ. Amen.