A Man After God’s Own Heart

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Paul said, “After removing Saul, He made David their king. He (God) 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.’” — Acts 13:22

While deployed in 2009 I resolved to read through the Bible. I knew that this would not be easy, given our mission and schedule, but I was determined. God was faithful to see me through to accomplish that desire—and even more so I was able to listen to a complete sermon series on Philippians by John MacArthur. I was blessed. It fueled in my heart another desire—to examine carefully what God meant when He called David, “ . . . a man after His (God’s) own heart,” and to grow in that likeness. David was a great warrior—a great soldier—so being in the military makes me want to understand his character. Here’s a summary of what I found in the course of my study of David:

Those character qualities which would distinguish “a man after God’s own heart” are:

1. He follows the commands of God.

In 1 Samuel 13:14 we read (the prophet Samuel speaking to Saul, David’s predecessor): “but now your kingdom shall not endure, the LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His People, because you have not kept what the word commanded.” Obviously God is looking for a man to rule who follows His commands and submits to His Lordship over his own life. Jesus also states clearly the importance of obedience: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love.” (John 15:10a) “You are My friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:14) To be a man after God’s heart he has to submit his life, his will, his desires to the LORD.

2. He is a defender of God’s people.

In 1 Samuel 17:26 we read (before facing Goliath): “Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him saying, ‘What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach of Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?’” In our day and age the enemy isn’t a giant named Goliath, but it is deceivers and false prophets. In Pilgrim’s Progress a group of faithful women and children are rescued from Satan’s evil emissaries by a man named Great Heart. That is a picture of a man of God who has a desire to protect God’s people. He seeks to protect the church with truth and a servant’s heart of service.

3. He is a man of faith.

The entire episode of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:31-58 is a story of the faith of young David. First, he seeks to go out against the giant. Secondly, he rejects wearing King Saul’s armor. Finally, he only takes a sling and stones to fight what would seem to be an impossible match. Jesus said we would be able to accomplish great things by faith (Matthew 17:20): “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’” Hebrews 11, the great “Hall of Faith,” contains the names of those saints whose faith was recognized as a critical element to being a man (or woman) of God.

4. He gives the glory to God.

David declared to Goliath (and the Philistines listening), “For the battle is the LORD’s and He will give you into our hands.” God has convicted me in this area—to grow in acknowledging Him for His goodness towards me and for His deliverance. A man of God knows who is responsible for the victory (in our battles) and he directs all of his praise upward to the One who is faithful to rescue and redeem.

5. He is humble.

David states a lack of presumption (at being “awarded” the king’s daughter in marriage) and a presence of humility when he says in 1 Samuel 18:18, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” He considered himself unworthy of such a “prize” even though he had slain Goliath and received praise from all Israel. Sometimes I find in my own flesh the desire for prominence and authority, but am reminded of the truth in Proverbs 15:33, “The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.”

6. He is obedient to his human authorities.

In the New Testament we read in Romans 13 of the value of our obedience to those in authority, and in 1 Samuel 18:30 we see how David was rewarded for his honorable submission to King Saul during battle, “The commanders of the Philistines (the enemy) went out to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed.” I have found that if a man follows the rules even when others don’t, while he may be viewed as odd, he is almost always held in high esteem among his comrades.

7. He has a sensitive conscience.

In 1 Samuel 24, David has an opportunity to take Saul’s life . . . . but decides to spare him. He does manage to cut off a corner of his robe, however, which he then regrets. He says in 1 Samuel 24:6: “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’S anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD.” I believe that a man after God’s heart is sensitive to even the smallest sin in his life and desires to root it out. God honors the broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17) and would even have us seek reconciliation with an offended brother before we worship (Matthew 5:21-26) with gifts.

In conclusion to this biblical exercise of searching the ways in which the great military man and ruler David loved and served God, I can summarize by saying that “David’s heart was right before God,” and I want mine to be also. 1 Samuel 16:7 states clearly, “ . . . . for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” God sees the depths of the heart—not only our thoughts, but more importantly our motives.

It is my desire that when God looks at my actions, my thoughts and my motives that He finds me to be obedient, noble, faithful, worshipful, humble, and tender towards Him.

Questions to Share:

1. What resolutions have you made and tried to keep during deployment which would enable you to grow spiritually during this time?

2. Which of these seven character traits which David demonstrated do you feel that you need to improve upon? Perhaps a time of confession in prayer (as David did) would get you moving in the right direction: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” — Psalm 51:11,12