Little Worship Boy! … transforming lives through the work of the Spirit into fully developing followers of Christ

Man After GOD’s Own Heart

I’ve been pondering of late what it means to be a man after GOD’s own heart.  What is it that really sets a person apart?  Are there tangibles that one can acquire that would lead to their becoming a man or woman… "after GOD’s own heart"?!

GOD says in 1 Samuel 13 that HE had sought out a man after HIS own heart to lead HIS people.  This man turned out to be the shepherd boy David.  A deeper look in to the life of David will reveal that the man after GOD’s own heart in no way was deemed so resulting from having a life all put together!  David was no model of perfection!

Gary Greenberg, a student of Biblical history and specifically the account of David’s life, wrote that one could make the argument that, "David was a corrupt and ambitious mercenary who committed treason against Israel by working with its enemies to seize the throne from King Saul; an ambitious and ruthless politician who initiated, sanctioned, or condoned murder and assassination as a way to eliminate political rivals, royal or otherwise; a Philistine vassal who used an army of malcontents to terrorize and conquer the Kingdom of Judah while Saul was still on the throne; a usurper who went to war against Israel after Saul’s death and imposed himself as king over the nation of Israel by military force; a cruel and unjust tyrant who used foreign mercenaries to centralize power under his direct control and who oppressed the people of Israel with high taxes and forced labor; a military imperialist who waged wars of conquest against his neighbors and exposed the peaceful Israelites to military counter-attacks that left many dead, wounded, or widowed; and the beneficiary of tales and legends that made him the doer of other peoples’ heroic deeds."

In this light, David doesn’t seem all that impressive—and scripture confirms—David was no white-as-snow-pristine saintly man of GOD.  But, if David was such a despicable guy, what in the world set him apart and led GOD to say of him, "I have sought out and found David to be a man after MY own heart"?

A further look into David’s life will demonstrate a consistent pattern in his life with regards to how he responded to his own sins.  Time after time you will find that David was quick to run to GOD after he screwed up.

The one after GOD’s own heart is the one who after tripping, stumbling and falling, gets up and runs as fast as they can back to GOD.  How we deal with our sin says a great deal about who we are.  David would run to GOD and cling to HIM knowing that his true source of LIFE was GOD.  The same is true of all who cling to GOD as their true source of life.  A man after GOD’s own heart is not a man perfectly sinless—but, when they do fail, they run for their lives back to GOD—clinging to HIM as their only source of LIFE, HOPE, and FORGIVENESS!

the cover-up-and-hide method

There is also the more favored example set by our father Adam—the method of sinning followed by running and hiding from GOD.  Adam after disobeying GOD in the garden ran together with Eve to hide from GOD.  Many try to hide from GOD and deny sin in hopes of avoiding shame, guilt, and the admission of wrongdoing.

Just take a look at a couple of examples from today’s current headlines: Lindsay Lohan attempting and failing to convince a Judge in California that the Lohan version of reality was legit.  Steve Jobs and Apple working hard to deny and cover up a widely proven flaw in the iPhone 4’s antenna design.  The handling of BP's spill in the Gulf... and, let’s don’t’ even get started with all the mess of Washington Politics!

Truth is, examples of Adam’s cover-up-and-hide methodology abound.  BUT... make no mistake... the cover-up-and-hide method of dealing with sin cannot bring a person true peace or abundant life.

There is a way to experience peace… it is the way of the man after GOD’s own heart!  The way of bolting towards GOD after a screw-up!  This is a way of life that results from a deep seated belief in GOD’s goodness and HIS good intentions towards us!  It's also the way of a life freely admitting dependence to GOD.

Are you experiencing peace in your life?  Do you feel it could be said of you that you were a man or a woman after GOD’s own heart?  The key to living a life of peace and being known as such is all in how you deal with your sin.  You’ll either live by the cover-up-and hide method denying your failure and denying GOD’s goodness—or, you’ll cling to GOD and run straight to HIM freely admitting your inability to attain a sinless perfection.

When's the last time you ran to GOD and admitted your need of HIM?  If it's been a while, might I suggest you stop what you're doing now and go spend some time with your heavenly FATHER?!  And, let’s all be quicker to run for dear life to GOD!

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