Encouraged by the Faithful - Pt 5

So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.” (Acts 13:16-23 ESV). David was a shepherd boy, mighty warrior, musician, poet, sinner, and saint. These words all describe King David, yet he will always be known best as “a man after God's own heart.” In our reading today, which is a sermon delivered by the Apostle Paul, we see a clear call for every Christian to seek that same description in their life. It is a daunting thought. Only David is distinguished from every other character in the Scripture with that title. He certainly was a man in whom God chose to confide, sharing both His secrets and times of intimate communion (cf. Psalm 25:14). However, I am prompted to simply ask what was it that God saw when He looked at David's heart. Perhaps if I understand that I can also aspire to that level of relationship with God. Let me suggest four things about David that encourage me toward this position.  First, David had a believing heart. David recognized his need for God; he admitted his dependence on God to provide for him and to watch over him, much as David did for the sheep under his care. David knew quietness of heart and the spiritual rest that comes from being right with God. Solitude afforded David both time and opportunity to worship, pray, and meditate on the Lord.  Second, David had a bold heart. He trusted God would deliver what He promised. He faced his Goliath, focusing not on the enormity of the enemy before him but on the promise and power of His God. Obstacles did not deter David.  Third, David had an inquiring heart. David actively sought God's will for his life. He brought every decision before the Lord in prayer, waiting for God's leading and direction before acting. David accepted God's “no” as graciously as he accepted His “yes.”  Fourth, David had a repentant heart. Even when he failed miserably and was confronted by Nathan, David humbled himself under God's mighty hand, and acknowledged his sin and his sorrow (cf. Psalm 51). Though David faced the consequences of his sin for many years to come, he humbly bowed his knee under God's sovereignty and continued in praise, worship, and devotion to his God. Those things were even more exemplified in the life of Jesus. Though he did not sin, he certainly understood the cost and sacrifice of being right with God. He paid that price in full for each of us. We can do no better than follow this example!