After God's Own Heart

God, I pray that you give the reader your eyes to see what you would want them to see, ears to hear what you would want them to hear and a heart to receive what you would want them to know. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I have been reading about David lately. Did you know that he was a man after God’s own heart?

I want to be too. Also, are we reading this correctly? Was David a man after God’s own heart, meaning he had God’s heart or was he a man who was “after God’s heart” meaning he was pursuing God’s heart constantly? I want to pursue God in every circumstance. I want to pursue him in the not so big decisions of my day and in the great big decisions. I want to walk so closely with Him, that I know when to move and when to stay still. That’s what David did. David wasn’t perfect but his consistent repentance and turning to God is an example to us all. He knew when he messed up and he hated the thought of being separated from God. He was always reflecting on the condition of his heart. 

In 1 Samuel, you will read about David. But first we learn about Saul. Saul was a king and was given that position by God. He knew what it was like to hear from God. But he developed pride in his heart. Instead of reflecting on his heart and where he went wrong, he blamed others. But what really happened was, he stopped talking with God about the decisions that needed to be made as a leader. He started making justifications on why his way was better.

When we stop asking God about the decisions we need to make and we start making our own decisions we end up off the right path. When this happened, God anointed David to become king. But I want to take a second to remind you that even though God has a plan, it doesn’t mean things change immediately. When you read about Saul and David, you will see it took a long time for David to become king. But rest assured, when God has a plan, He doesn’t forget about it and believe me (or more accurately, Him) He will take care of it. 

Saul ended up no longer having God’s anointing. Being anointed means you have God’s blessing in the assignment. You have a supernatural grace, power, given in your walk. If you don’t want to be obedient and you don’t want to go along with the assignment, you don’t need the anointing. You are still around, maybe even known, but you aren’t on the assignment anymore. 

David was anointed for this now and he loved God and he pursued God and I think Saul knew what that was like and when he realized he no longer had that close relationship with God, he got jealous. He felt threatened. He felt as if he was going to lose his fame and title. He didn’t want to do the work to gain the relationship back though. Instead, he tried to have David killed time and time again. But this part is the part that really opened my eyes to the difference in David’s heart. Because you guys, our actions really do reflect the heart. 

In 1 Samuel 24 David spares Saul’s life. David had been distancing himself and hiding from Saul. He didn’t want to fight Saul. Saul had the authority and David wanted to honor him. He didn’t go along with Saul and didn’t agree with Saul, but he did give honor to Saul. Saul going after David did mean though, that Saul was an enemy. He was not a friend. God had told David that He would deliver his enemy into his hands. And one day, as David was hiding in a cave, Saul came in, had no idea David was in there. David had an opportunity to put an end to Saul. But he didn’t.

1 Samuel 24:5

But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him. 

When I started learning more about David the election was going on and I recognized a lot of similarities. Now, I don’t engage with others about politics, I am not naive about what is going on, I just don’t get worked up about it. I know that God will clean things up. He always has (just read about it), he always will. What I do know is that we have a responsibility to walk in a way that pleases God, if God is in fact who you choose to follow. 

Right now, and for quite some time, there has been so much division among us. I am not here to talk about which president would be best for our country. Honestly, I would be careful to put my trust in any one other than God. But what I do want to talk about is what you can really do about it. Because festering and ill talk of others is actually creating a storm not only in you and the people around you but also in the spiritual realm.

When we are in defense mode, we cannot receive any information from the party we are upset about. I see this happening. We read the subtitles on the news and roll with it before finding out why it is happening and what the plan is moving forward. When you are mad at someone, they can’t do anything right. The person could say the truth, the right thing, do something kind for you and you still wouldn’t receive anything they have to say. You don’t like them. But have you sat down to really figure out why? What is it about this person you do not like? Is it their character? their policies, their past? Is it that you want to be or do something that actually conflicts with God’s design?

Let’s talk about the past for a second. When you do something that was a mistake and you repent, God forgives you and the blood of Jesus washes you clean and makes you pure as snow. (Isaiah 43:25, John 1:9). If God forgives us and says he will not hold it against us, he will no longer remember it, then why do we bring up the past? Why do we hold things against others? Especially when that mistake or past sin, doesn’t really have anything to do with the present time or the circumstance. 

Isaiah 43:16

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

Isaiah 43:19

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Sometimes, we can’t see what God is doing. But He is doing a new thing. He is making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Why was Saul in his position for so long before David reigned? Did God need help? Did God not know what to do? God has this all under control.

So, this led me to a question. How do you stand up for something that you believe in or that is right, the right way? This is what God’s word says:

1 Timothy 2:1-

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of truth. 

Matthew 5:44

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect.

We are called to pray for others. We are supposed to pray for our enemies. Our battle is not with flesh and blood. And when we act any other way, this makes Satan very happy. We become a temple of hatred and rebellion. Let’s stop attacking the person and start praying against the evil rulers and principalities of the unseen world (Eph. 6). Let us honor authority and bring glory to God. When we are walking with the Holy Spirit, we are like him. What hurts him, hurts us and I know that when we are speaking hatred over someone that grieves his heart. When we are speaking ill of others, it actually says more about your heart than theirs.

Nobody wants to be angry. Nobody wants to be out of step with the Holy Spirit, but Saul didn’t intend to do that either. He kept justifying his actions, and because he didn’t reflect on the condition of his heart, because he didn’t take time to see what God had to say, he found himself separated and you guys, we can’t do life without God. If you are someone who is worried about what is going on in this world. If you are someone who can't stand the president, take some time to get into communication with our Father. Talk to him about your concerns, your anger, your emotions. Figure out why whichever candidate bothers you so much and then listen to what God has to say. Do your wants and desires for this nation line up with God’s? Get to the root, because if anger and ill talk is more a part of you than love and prayer, there is a root issue at play.