A Man After God’s Own Heart
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 13:1-14
Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 13:14
But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.
Introduction:
Saul had been anointed of God to be king over all Israel “when (he) was little in (his) own sight”. Now he has been rejected by the Lord because of his disobedience and his failure to be a “man after God’s own heart.” The Lord found such a man in David, son of Jesse, and made him king in Saul’s place.
The Lord is still looking for men and women today who have a heart like unto His; a heart that is committed to doing the will of God; a heart that strives to please Him at all times.
At the baptism of Jesus Christ, the Father said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:17)
On the Mount of Transfiguration, He said, “this is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.” (Matt. 17:5)
We have no problem understanding why the Father would make such a statement about Jesus. In fact, there are others whom the Lord may have regarded as people after His own heart. For example:
*Joseph. *Daniel. *Shadrach, Meshech, & Abednego.
* Esther. *Dorcas. *Mary, the mother of Jesus.
The Bible records no blemishes on the lives of these people. So, we might ask the question, Why did the Lord use David as an example of “one after His own heart”??
**He is, perhaps, best remembered by some for his sins!!
**He lusted after and committed adultery with another man’s wife!
**He had Uriah, her husband, killed!
**He took a census of the people against God’s will bringing judgment against the people of God.
Three attitudes of David may suggest why God referred to him as “a man after mine own heart.” Let us take a look at them and see if we have these attitudes in our own lives thus making us people after God’s own heart.
I. David Had An Attitude Of Penitence.
A. When Nathan, the prophet, confronted David with his sins of adultery and murder, he repented.
Psalm 51:1-4, 9-10 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. [2] Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. [3] For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. [4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. [9] Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
B. The Lord is still looking for people with a penitent attitude who will acknowledge their sin and confess it to Him.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
1 John 1:8-2:3 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
[2:1] My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: [2] And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. [3] And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
C. We can become people after God’s own heart when we have an attitude of repentance toward God.
2 Chron. 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
D. God is still LOOKING for people who will genuinely repent and serve Him.
Illustration: Several years ago a huge tree in Colorado fell to the ground with a resounding crash after having stood majestically on a hill for more than 400 years. A mere sapling when Columbus landed in San Salvador, over the centuries it had been struck by lightning 14 times, braved great windstorms, and even defied an earthquake. In the end,however, it was killed by some little beetles. Boring under the bark, they chewed away its mighty fibers until one day that lordly king of the forest came thundering down. So, too, apparently insignificant sins often make substantial inroads into our spiritual lives, and if left unchecked may cause our downfall. The idle word spoken, the prayer time omitted, and the occasional fleshly pleasure indulged -- these things "spoil" the vineyard much more than we realize.
II. David Had An Attitude Of Worship.
Psalm 103:1-5 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. [2] Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: [3] Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; [4] Who redeemeth thy life
from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; [5] Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 117:1-2 O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. [2] For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.
Illustration: “When we worship we express our adoration and appreciation for God’s character and attributes. We don’t come to express our wants or wishes, but to reaffirm our love and devotion.” (Steinberg)
A. Our purpose in life is to EXALT our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Psalm 107:32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
Psalm 34:3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
1. Exalt - (Webster) - “To elevate or lift up with joy, pride, or confidence; To praise highly.”
a. By praise-
Psalm 22:23 - “Ye that fear the Lord, praise him;.... glorify him; and fear him,...”
1. In Song.
Psalm 9:11 - “Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.”
2. With Music.
Psalm 33:2 - “Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.”
3. Continually.
Hebrews 13:15 - “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
b. By Good Works.
Matthew 5:16 - “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
B. God is still LOOKING for people who will worship and honor Him. An attitude of worship will enable us to become people “after God’s own heart”.
III. David Had An Attitude Of Service.
A. This was characteristic of David’s life.
**As a lad, he faithfully tended his father’s sheep.
**He fought against Goliath, defeating him and winning victory for God’s people.
**As king he looked for ways to serve God and his fellow man.
Acts 13:22 And when he had removed him, 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 13:36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
B. Jesus, Himself, took on the attitude of a servant.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Philip. 2:5-7 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
[7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
C. The Lord is still LOOKING for people who are willing to serve Him by serving their fellow man. This kind of attitude is essential if we are to become a people “after God’s own heart”.
Conclusion:
If we would be people “after God’s own heart”, then let us be careful to maintain the attitudes of repentance, worship, and service. This is what the Lord is looking for in all of us.
