David: A Man After the Heart of God

The fleshly hand tried its best to help, but God never needs such help! If God wants something to fall, we must never attempt to hold it. We had better let it fall; then we will be blessed. Uzzah tried to keep the ark from falling; but not only did the ark fall, but Uzzah himself fell dead. By this death the move of the ark was frustrated, and David was greatly disturbed. He became fearful of the ark and abandoned his attempt to transport it by a cart. David was indeed wrong in moving the ark according to the worldly way, and he was also mistaken in his human opinion.

We must learn to abandon the worldly system and keep our hands off. He should have seen the revelation of God and learned the divine way, rather than use the way of the world. We must always touch Christ, the testimony of God, by the divine way revealed in the Word. We should never move on the basis of good in relation to the ark, attempting to do something good for God, even with a good motive or a sincere heart. We must be extremely careful, lest we bring in spiritual death. It is not sufficient simply to know the right thing; we must also have the right way.

The practice of Christmas affords an example of how Christians attempt to do good for God in a worldly way.

10 Reasons David is Called “A Man After God’s Own Heart”

Many argue in favor of this holiday. They claim that sending Christmas cards will help others to know Christ. But that is doing things in the Philistine way. The card is just like the cart. We need a living testimony to preach the gospel of Christ. We need the living priests to bring Christ to people.

A Man After God's Own Heart by R.T. Kendall

Then the issue will be life and not death. We may use many things to illustrate the same principle. Christianity today loves to take advantage of so many worldly, Philistine systems. We should not have the mind or the way of the people of this world. All Israel's warriors refused. David walked by faith, not sight, and he knew God could use him to defeat this enemy of His chosen people I Sam.

Without a trace of fear, and with no armor or battle garb, David stepped forward with his slingshot and — whap! David was close to God. He listened to God and believed that nothing could stand against the power of God. He had complete faith to overcome any seemingly insurmountable obstacle.

But it wasn't faith without effort. He didn't neglect the physical part he could do. He had become strong and able by protecting his father's sheep from wild animals, and he was an expert marksman after years of practice.

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Still, David maintained regular contact with God and rightly gave God full credit for the victory. We today should have this same attribute of character. If we believe God, diligently study His Word, remain in prayerful contact with Him and follow as God leads through His Church, we can have the same kind of faith David exhibited.

Another major aspect of David's character was that he was sincerely and consistently humble. This trait was especially apparent in David's relationship with Saul. Still, he considered himself totally unworthy to marry the king's daughter I Sam. He knew God had blessed him, and he felt undeserving.

Later, after Saul had become "David's enemy continually" because of jealousy verse 29 , David still esteemed himself as nothing more than a dead dog or a flea I Sam. He honestly felt that he was too insignificant to threaten Saul's position. Eventually, when David did become king, God made far-reaching promises to him, including the establishment of a perpetual throne, which Saul failed to qualify for.

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Yet David continued to reflect godly humility: And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? David felt he was not important; to him, only God's plan and purpose mattered. He served God in humility, with the mind of Christ, with the attitude described in Philippians 2: He had complete loyalty and respect for God's government, and for the human instruments God places in the offices of that government. God had begun to work through King Saul as His ruler over the people. Saul, caught up in a rebellious attitude, began to reject God's directions. Demon-influenced Saul, crazed with envy, tried to kill David at every opportunity.

Even though David served him totally and refused to fight back, Saul persisted. David had a deep, abiding respect for whomever God had established over him, even if that person in authority were a murderous maniac. Striving only to keep his life, David never talked against Saul or failed to acknowledge Saul's authority as God's anointed. Once, having given in to temptation to move against the king, David "cut off a corner of Saul's robe" I Sam.

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David felt guilty, and repented bitterly verse 6. All this, while Saul was on a mission to murder David! On another occasion, David rejected an easy opportunity to take Saul's life, knowing that to do so would make him guilty of rebellion against God I Sam.

David understood the lesson Saul missed: Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king" I Sam. God allowed this test to continue for David for many years after he was anointed to replace Saul. David could have rebelled and tried to take over, but he didn't. He didn't resist, and always honored God's chosen servant.

How would you have reacted if you had been in David's shoes? Would you have passed his test? How do you react today to God's chosen apostle, ministers and servants? Are you willing to be ruled now, so you can be trained to rule in God's Kingdom Heb. David had to wait years after his anointing before he became king!

And the waiting wasn't easy. He had countless physical and spiritual trials. Only after much strife did God give him the kingdom of Israel. In waiting on God, David endured in spite of circumstances. He left his life and future in God's hands and had the patience necessary to develop godly character.

Paul explains this attitude as it applies in the lives of true Christians: Faith and patience are often mentioned together in the Bible. You cannot have patience without faith. Faith is belief in God backed up with active obedience Jas. Patience is the serene attitude that allows you to wait on God in adverse circumstances. Patience is developed through trials like those David experienced: David knew that God would fulfill His plan for him if he patiently endured Heb.

What Is a Man After God’s Own Heart?

Are you patiently enduring? Do you have the calm resolve that results from leaving your life in God's hands? He didn't do anything halfway. David always exhibited an unfeigned, wholehearted, enthusiastic devotion to God. When David served, he served all the way, in whatever was needed. He was a continual inspiration to others. After retrieving the ark of the covenant from enemy armies, King David was more excited than anyone else.

He dropped any courtly reserve and danced for joy in the streets of Jerusalem II Sam. Everyone knew David's enthusiasm about serving God, and it affected the whole nation.