David: Man Of Character Series

INTRODUCTION

The Greek word from which our word “character” originated signified a sharp-pointed instrument or engraving tool. Much of this first meaning is implied in the word as we use it, for is not character the means by which each of us makes his impression on the world? Someone has said, “To be sure, the instrument itself is not a finished product, it is a mere tool; but, like many a fine instrument, character improves with use. Our actions and reactions temper the blade and make the edge powerful or impotent. Each must forge his own character, each must be responsible for keeping it in condition, each must be responsible for its results.”

Someone has well stated that “Character is who we are when no one else is looking.”

Here are some other quotes about character:

In great matters men show themselves as they wish to be seen, in small matters, as they are. ~Gamaliel Bradford

Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones. ~Phillips Brooks

Character is much better kept than recovered. ~Thomas Paine

Character is not made in crisis – it is only exhibited. ~Freeman.

Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are. ~John Wooden, former coach, UCLA Bruins basketball

As Christians, our character is especially important, for our character is not only who we are, it represents who we are in Christ. As redeemed members of God’s family, our character must reflect that of Christ, our example. If Christians are not known for their uprightness of character, then how are we different from anyone else?

In today’s world, it is difficult to stand for what is right and to exhibit good character. Yet that is precisely what we are called by God to do. The world should know us by our character, for our character should stand out from all the rest.

BACKGROUND

Our continuing series on Unlikely Heroes brings us today to a man well known in the Bible. His name is David. Again, we discover that this man really did not begin his life as the hero type. What we know about David was that he was from the small, unimportant, sleepy little village called Bethlehem. He did not have the privilege of being the oldest son of the family, which would have provided him much prestige and power. No, he was the youngest of the family. As such, he was a simple shepherd and musician. While his older brothers were off fighting the Philistines with King Saul, he was whiling away the days in charge of smelly sheep and strumming on his lyre.

But there is an important element we discover about David as we review his life. He had an attribute that God was looking for in men: character. That is the reason why David stands out as the greatest king in Israel’s history. In contrast to the one king who preceded him and the other kings who would descend from him, David's character was commended by God. God declared him to be “a man after my heart.” That designation is used of no other man in the Word of God!

We have 2 texts I want to read for today. I am going to ask you to turn to the first one, 1 Samuel 13:14, which we will read. Then I will read our second text, Acts 13:22, to you. READ: 1 Samuel 13:14.

Acts 13:22 – “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.’”

I find in Scripture three reasons why David was a man of character.

I. He Waited on God

David began his life in such simple circumstances that one would wonder if he would be noticed. Out on the backside of the range with the sheep is not exactly a social club!

But there David did learn one important lesson. He learned to wait on God. In the schoolroom of nature itself, David uncovered the character of God.

While the smells and sounds of tending sheep could drive someone mad, David found it was the perfect arena in which to place all things with His God and to discover the peace that God gives. It was there that he could lay his burden down and allow God to pick it up. It was there that he could sing praises to the One who created him. It was there that he could learn just who his God was.

In doing this, David learned to let God develop his character. Perhaps this is shown in his life most brightly after the failure of King Saul. David, already anointed as the next king, could have easily usurped His authority and taken over the kingdom. But he waited on God to work for him and to do so in His timing.