David | A Man After God’s Heart

INTRODUCTION

Everyone wants to feel significant, important and loved. We feel happy when people recognize us, but let down when ignored. We live in a world where everyone wants to be in the limelight. People seek recognition and acceptance. In order to achieve that, people want to showcase what they do. We are living in the age of display pictures (DP), hashtags, WhatsApp statuses, Instagram pictures, and YouTube videos. We yearn to bask in the limelight.

I have observed individuals who go to great lengths to impress others and garner attention. Whom do you truly wish to impress? When it comes to making a favorable impression, what do humans consider, and what does God seek?

Today, I would like to delve into the life of an individual who transitioned from obscurity to the limelight. Initially a nobody, he caught the attention of God and was subsequently elevated to the highest position within his country. The person I am referring to is King David.

A Man After God’s Heart

What took David from the obscurity to the limelight where he became the king of Israel? Did God choose David or did David choose God?

God chose David As King

1 Samuel 16:1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

1 Samuel 16:12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” God chose him.

Did God choose David, and then David became a man after God’s heart? Or did God choose David because he was a man after His heart?

When David was anointed as the king of Israel, that is when the Spirit of God descended upon him, not before. However, God had chosen him prior to that moment. God chose David because he was a man who earnestly sought after God’s heart.

Why did God choose David when there were men better than David in the country?

Answer: David was a man after God’s heart.

Twice we are told in the Bible, that David was after God’s heart.

1 Samuel 13:14  The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people.

Acts 13:22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’

Now, God does not show favoritism or partiality. God is not a respecter of persons. And just as God chose David, I believe that everyone listening to me is like David. God has the ability to choose each and every one of you, just as He chose David.

Brief History:

Israel had been drifting for a long time, moving further away from God. Things had not been going well for Israel at all. They expressed their desire for a king and presented three reasons for their request. Eventually, they reached a point where they demanded a king. They were no longer content with God governing them through a prophet, specifically Samuel, and thus, they requested for an earthly king.

1 Samuel 8:5 The elders of Israel said to Samuel, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

Take note of the three reasons behind their desire for a king: Firstly, Samuel was growing old; secondly, Samuel’s sons were wicked; and thirdly, they observed that other nations had kings. Samuel, however, was displeased by their request. Nevertheless, as the people persisted, God permitted Samuel to grant their wish.

1 Samuel 8:7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.

So they discovered a king named Saul. He possessed a tall and handsome stature, along with a certain degree of humility, at least in the beginning. However, it didn’t take long for Saul to unveil his true attitude, displaying a hardened heart, a bad temper, jealous tendencies leading to murderous intentions, and a spirit of disobedience. As a result, God rejected Saul as king. Even during the bleak period of Saul’s rebellion, God did not forsake His people.

See what Samuel said to Saul:

1 Samuel 13:13-14 ¹³“You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. ¹⁴But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

When did God say that?

Before anointing David, God proclaimed, “I have already found him, and he will surpass you in his ability to lead, for it will be David’s kingdom.” God specifically sought a man after His own heart, and He found that in David.

Now, the question arises: Are we a people who pursue God’s heart? Or do you believe that God only calls certain individuals while others cannot fulfill God’s calling?

It is important to understand that God chose David not based on his abilities but because David was earnestly seeking after God’s heart. I want to demonstrate that you are more than qualified to be placed in the same category as David.

Now look at 1 Corinthians 1:26-29  ²⁶Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; or were influential; also of noble birth. ²⁷But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹so that no one may boast before him.

Are you foolish, weak, despised? Or are you insignificant?

Congratulations, you are the person God is looking for.

Was David inherently special? No, he was not. David actively pursued a relationship with God. There was nothing exceptional about David’s nature or creation. God did not design any individual to be superior to others; no one is created as extraordinarily unique. David’s distinction lay in his earnest pursuit of God’s heart. And just as David sought after God’s heart, so can we.

We find ourselves greatly outnumbered by external influences and superficial pursuits. However, God declares, “I choose nobody, so that I can turn them into somebody. I choose the things that are seemingly worthless, so that I may receive all the glory. And I choose those who are considered foolish, so that my wisdom may be exalted. Also, I choose the weak, allowing my strength to shine through them.” If we simply choose to seek God’s heart, He can utilize us. God seeks individuals like you and me, looking for specific qualities, but these traits are not superhuman in nature. They can be possessed by any of us.

So, what is it about David’s life that we can aspire to? What can we find in David’s journey that enables us to say, “I can do that”?

1. David Had A Hungry Heart For God

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Committed heart is a perfect heart. Committed heart is a friendly heart toward God.

Do you know what David did? David decided, ”I am hungry for fellowship with God. I want to be a friend of God.” The word of God says, “The eyes of the Lord range throughout the sea of humanity on earth to see someone who will say in his heart, ‘I want to be a friend of God.”

We can indeed pursue that path. It is an attainable goal, not beyond our reach. What holds significance for God becomes significant to us. Our hearts align, sharing burdens and concerns. We attentively listen to God’s commands, willingly cooperating with His desire to transform us into individuals more closely resembling Jesus Christ. We fully belong to God, leaving no locked closets or areas where God is not welcome. Furthermore, we humbly acknowledge our wrongdoings, refusing to conceal them. Instead, we present them before God, earnestly seeking His transformative power to make us better than before.

God’s utilization of any individual will always be in response to that person’s hungering heart.

Complacency is the worst enemy we face today in Christianity.

We often find contentment in who we are and what we have become. However, the Word of God instructs us not to settle until we reach His likeness. We tend to be complacent, satisfied with a state that falls short of God’s desired level for us. Instead of being spiritually hungry and desperate for the presence and power of God, we become spiritually fat and satisfied.

David had a hungry heart. God was looking for such a man and God said in 1 Samuel 13, “I have found that man.” He is the one who will be king.

2. David Had A Humble Heart

Isaiah 57:15 For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

God lives with humble people and David was humble.

1 Samuel 16:1 The Lord said to Samuel ….I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

God declared that He had already found David as the future king in 1 Samuel 13. Let’s consider the context. God instructed Samuel, saying, “Samuel, go to Jesse’s house, for there you will find the one whom I have chosen to anoint.” It is worth noting that this was Samuel’s first visit to Jesse’s house. However, prior to 1 Samuel 13, God had already visited Jesse’s house. During that earlier visit, God had laid eyes upon David and selected him for the position of king of Israel.

Do you know that God has already been to your home too?

God had witnessed David’s humble and hungry heart. Similarly, God observes you. If He had visited Jesse’s house, He has also visited yours. What does he see there? So, does God see a humble attitude? Does He see a servant spirit? Does God see someone who says, “Here I am Lord, use me. Whatever it is you can do in me, I am here. And whatever it is you can change in me, please change it.” Is there humility in your home knowing that God has seen it regardless of its current state?

David’s father called him the youngest.

As Jesse brought all his other sons before Samuel, the prophet asked, “Are these all the sons you have? Is there no one else?” The term “youngest” implies being considered the least significant. Jesse did not hold high regard for David. He reluctantly admitted, “Yes, I have one more son, but he is not of much importance. He is the least significant in our household. Shall I bring him?” I find Samuel’s response quite remarkable: “We will not sit down until he comes here.” This urgency compelled Jesse to quickly fetch David.

Where was David at that moment? One can imagine him being far away from home, perhaps kilometers away. Yet, Samuel and Jesse refused to commence the proceedings until David returned. He was the one they were seeking. God saw David.

Psalm 78:70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens.

Where did God see David?

God beheld David within Jesse’s household, perceiving him as the least among his brothers. Additionally, God witnessed David diligently tending to the sheep in the sheepfold.

God’s knowledge of David stemmed from David’s own desire to know Him. God wasn’t seeking charisma or athleticism, nor was He concerned with outward attractiveness—qualities we often rely on. Instead, God was focused on David’s heart.

Hence, God’s selection of David was not based on his talent, physical appearance, or personal recommendations. David’s position as God’s servant played a pivotal role. A servant’s heart signifies humility, obedience, and faithful service without seeking recognition.

Psalms 24:3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?

You want to paraphrase that. Who has a heart to seek after God?

Psalm 24:4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

God is looking for a humble individual and a humble attitude and David had it. So here’s my question. Can you be that man? Can you be that woman? Is there anything that David was, that we cannot be? Is there any reason that we cannot seek God’s heart? We can be humble.

3. David Had Honest Actions

Psalm 78:71-72

⁷¹from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. ⁷²And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.

Do you know what David was?  He was genuine, possessed integrity, innocence, and had a strong character. Furthermore, his actions consistently reflected honesty and righteousness.

Integrity means moral soundness, honesty, uprightness of character, completeness.

Listen to David’s words of his integrity:

Psalm 23:3 He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Also, He was not self-righteous, nor did He claim the righteousness of his own. And he said God leads me in the paths of righteousness.

David said:

Psalm 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast..

My heart is steadfast, fixed on you God. And, my heart is unwavering. I am clinging onto you and I am not going anywhere else.

It was David that said in Psalm 139:23-24 ²³Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. ²⁴See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

This is a man of integrity, honesty, who stands before God and his face and life is open to God. Is there a reason for us to not be that kind of person?

So how did David get there? How did David become that man? So how did David become a man after God’s own heart? How did David become a man of integrity?

Here are some things that we can do in order to be the person God chooses.

How Did David Become A Man After God’s Own Heart?

1. Quiet Time

Psalm 63:1-2 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water

Psalm 63:6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

David dedicated time to be alone with God. While watching the sheep, he experienced solitude, with only himself, God, and the sheep. These serene moments nurtured his heart. In today’s fast-paced world, such quiet moments have become rare, and if we desire them, we must intentionally create them.

David endured solitude even in unfavorable conditions, enduring rain, cold, wind, and scorching sun. It was in these solitary moments that he learned the qualities necessary to become a king.

Those that have noise in their life constantly lack depth.

If one finds it challenging to be alone with oneself, it may indicate unresolved issues deep within their life. Learning to be alone and embracing quiet time is essential. It involves turning off distractions like televisions and phones, deliberately creating space to spend time with God. In our modern age, electronic devices constantly bombard us, leaving little room for silence in our lives.

To cultivate a heart that hungers for the Lord, one must shut out all competing appetites and simply present oneself before God, saying, “Lord, I am here. I don’t come with requests or for my own needs. I am here to listen. I long to hear Your voice.” Embracing solitude allows the silence to envelop you until it becomes profound, and all you hear is the rhythm of your own heartbeat and the voice of God. This is where David resided, and it is through this practice that he became the remarkable man he was.

David would sit alone, gazing at the stars, marveling at the majesty and creative power of God. It was during those moments of solitude that David would declare to himself and to God, “Here I am, Lord. Use me.” This quiet time is crucial.

2. Obscurity

Obscurity is the state of being unknown.

Servant leaders often spend a significant amount of time in obscurity, remaining unseen and unappreciated. One aspect that concerns me about the current era is the constant message directed at young people, urging them to step up, lead immediately, and not wait. However, the problem with this notion is that they may not have had sufficient time to develop the character and strength required for effective leadership. It is important not to rush into assuming immense responsibilities but rather to prioritize allowing God to shape and prepare individuals to handle significant tasks.

There should be no fear of obscurity, and one should not equate their worth solely with being in the spotlight. Being on platforms like YouTube or Instagram and receiving numerous likes for posts does not determine one’s value. Nor should one believe they are insignificant unless they are widely recognized. The years when nobody knows who you are can be transformative, allowing for personal growth and development.

Character is built in faithful obscurity.

Those who can accept service that is unseen and receives no accolades are best qualified to handle the applause of the crowd. This is an aspect of humility and integrity. Don’t fear obscurity, embrace it as you grow in Him. David did.

3. Faithfulness

Definition: Being loyal and stable.

Faithfulness means being able to do the menial job every day and you are stable in it. You do the insignificant, and the routine, the repetitious, the unexciting, and the uneventful jobs of your everyday life. You just do what you’re supposed to do.

God trains in the constant unchanging hours of monotony in our life.

To repeatedly and faithfully perform the little tasks is what builds the character of kings.

Consider the level of excitement involved in watching sheep. Sheep lack intelligence and do not exhibit the same responsiveness as a dog would to your facial expressions or mood. They are remarkably unintelligent creatures and lack discernment.

Yet, there David was, faithfully tending to the sheep day after day and night after night. It was his father’s request, and David fulfilled it by taking care of the sheep. We often believe that great opportunities and responsibilities come to us through significant events orchestrated by others. However, it is in the small, unremarkable, monotonous, and repetitive tasks that we find the potential for greatness. God utilizes those who demonstrate faithfulness in all things, even the seemingly mundane.

4. Reality

This is something that shaped David into the man God intended him to be, and it reflects the reality we should embrace. In a world where people often mistake screen portrayals for reality, it seems that many are losing touch with what truly matters. The reality of your own life is where you should focus and be authentic.

In the story of 1 Samuel 17, David faced a momentous encounter with Goliath. Goliath’s actions were a direct challenge to the name of the Lord, and the situation was undeniably real. David, despite the potential danger, boldly stepped forward to confront the giant. Recognizing the inaction of his brothers and the army, David spoke to them and demanded the right to face Goliath. When his brothers questioned his presence, they asked, “Why have you come here?”

1 Samuel 17:28-29 ²⁸When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” ²⁹“Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?”

David is facing a reality of an opponent in Goliath and he is not even recognized by his brothers.

1 Samuel 17:34-37 ³⁴But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and  carried off a sheep from the flock, ³⁵ I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. ³⁶Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. ³⁷The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Consider the reality of David’s life. He encountered and confronted not only the challenge of Goliath but also the dangers posed by lions and bears. David didn’t dismiss the threat by thinking, “It’s just one sheep; I have plenty more.” Instead, he acknowledged that it was his responsibility and duty to protect his flock. David faced the bear and the lion head-on, rescuing his sheep from harm.

David had been doing what was right every day.

Living in reality is to handle situations as they come up. David was faithful, he had a job in hand, and when realities came, he did what was required of him to do. The lion, bear, and goliath were a reality that David had to face. David faced reality.

If we want to be a man after God’s own heart, we need to be real.

Learn to be effective and diligent in your current responsibilities and opportunities. Understand the realities of life and take action accordingly.

I do not want to be offensive here.

It’s important to recognize that God doesn’t fix every problem for you. You need to take responsibility and face challenges head-on. Whether it’s fixing a flat tire or building a house, there are tasks and realities in life that require your active participation. Embrace your obligations and approach them with determination, saying, “This is my duty, and I will handle these problems to the best of my ability.” Avoid running away from reality.

Character is developed through the habit of consistently doing what is right, repeatedly and without hesitation.

Character is built intentionally, one block at a time, by consistently making the right choices over and over again until they become a part of your nature.

David faced and defeated a bear, a lion, and Goliath. He didn’t cry out to God and ask Him to kill the lion on his behalf. It was David’s responsibility to confront and overcome the bear, and he successfully did so.

Life can be challenging and filled with hardships, fatigue, heartaches, and disappointments. Each day, we encounter the realities of life. With God’s assistance, we have the strength to face these challenges head-on, just as David did. We must be determined to conquer our own “bears,” “lions,” and “Goliaths.”

Do you want to be the man that God chooses?

In 1 Samuel 13, God declares, “I have found a man” whom He desires to bestow the kingdom upon. David, being a man after God’s heart, exemplifies the qualities that are present in this room. We too can embody these qualities if we follow in David’s footsteps.

CONCLUSION

Cultivating a humble heart, maintaining a humble attitude, and demonstrating honest actions are essential. These attributes develop over time, through faithfully fulfilling our responsibilities in obscurity, engaging in mundane and unglamorous tasks, and confronting the realities of life with determination. Our commitment to faithfulness should extend from today to tomorrow, and every day thereafter until the return of Jesus Christ. David serves as an inspiration as a man who was truly after God’s heart.

Did God change David into a man after his heart or did God find David to be a man after his heart?

Ask yourself that question. David was anointed after God chose him. Why did God choose David? And, why would God choose you? Also, why would God not chose you? If you want to be that man, you can. You have to want it. You got to be hungry for it. Your heart has to bow before God and say, “God please make me that person. Give me that character. I want that in my life.”