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A Man After God’s Own Heart – David

“But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’”¹

Ranking high on the list of Biblical celebrities, we find David. Remembered for feats great and small, David made quite a name for himself. Many will recall his mighty heroism when he went up against the giant Goliath, defeating him with a single stone to the forehead. Others remember when he committed adultery with Bathsheba, and then the murder of her husband, caused by the same weakness. Still others remember David as the youngest of eight brothers, a shepherd boy, whom God personally chose to be the King over the great nation of Israel. But of all the lessons we can learn from this man, it is the fact that God called him ‘a man after His own heart’ that shows us that even though David was very much human and sinful, God was even more loving and merciful.

David is credited for writing most of the Psalms in which we can see how he often struggled with his sinful nature and still praised God for the lessons he learned along the way. His songs of praise to God have become a foundation for most of our prayers today. David sought after God at every turn of his life. He would fall, yes, and he would fail, but he always returned to the feet of his Lord and glorified Him for his mercy. This “sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Sam. 23:1) was filled with human emotions just like you and me. He faced temptations and trials, doubt and despair, he knew joy and confidence, and at each step of the way, he lifted his eyes to the Lord and trusted God to see him through. David’s reliance on God and continual seeking of God’s will is what made him ‘a man after God’s own heart’. 

What an awesome example God gave us in David! Many of us can relate to David in the different walks of his life, but the take-away is David’s trust in the Lord. David himself encouraged it and taught it to his children, who in turn, taught it to theirs: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Prov. 3:5-6)

Suggested Prayer:

Dear God, your mercy and grace go far beyond my understanding, but I am so grateful because no matter where I have fallen short in my life, I can come to you and trust you to guide me through. I put my will and my desires in your hands today and ask that you replace them with your will and your desires for me. I love you, Lord.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1. Acts 13:22 (NLT).

 

Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.