A HEART AFTER GOD'S HEART

“… he raised up unto them David to be their king;
to whom also he gave testimony, and said,
I have found David the son of Jesse,
a man after mine own heart,
which shall fulfil all my will.”
Acts 13:22
King James Version

King David is an excellent example of the successes and failures of life. He began as a shepherd boy tending sheep and delivering lunch to his brothers. He kills a giant and begins to serve in the king’s court. The king becomes jealous of him and attempts to murder him. David is on the run for almost eight years. While on the run, his own men threaten to kill him because their wives and children are taken captive. He is finally anointed to be king of Israel. During his reign, he experiences great military victories and God gives the nation peace. Later, he commits adultery and murder. He fathers a child from the adulterous relationship and but child dies. As a consequence for sin, God says, “Because of what you have done, I, the LORD, will cause your own household to rebel against you. I will give your wives to another man, and he will go to bed with them in public view” (2 Samuel 12:11). His daughter was raped, his son killed his brother, and another son tried to take his throne. He disobeyed God again by numbering his military strength and caused a pestilence to come upon the nation and about 70,000 people died. Throughout David’s life he experienced the pain of betrayal, isolation and hatred from those closest to him.
Psalm 41:9 says, “My best and truest friend, who ate at my table, has even turned against me.” He had times of great sin, but also times of great repentance and restoration. Nevertheless, in the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul declares that God said, “David, son of Jesse, is a man after my own heart, for he will do everything I want him to.”
How can this be with all the sin and failure that marked David’s life? Not only are David’s successes and failures outlined in scripture, but his responses, as well. David worshipped, prayed and always repented. He asked the Lord to ‘search and try him.’ He longed for the glory of God and never wanted to be without His presence. Even in his moral failures and sins, his response to God was always according to God’s will. Repentance, or turning away and agreeing with God, is always God’s desire for His people.
Do you have a heart after God’s own heart? When you ‘miss the mark’ are you quick to repent? Do you long for the presence of God? A perfect heart is one that will respond in accordance with the word of God. Today, ask God to give you a heart to do everything that He wants you to do.