How can we become people after God’s own heart? We know David had a special place in God’s heart because He was after God’s own heart. He made mistakes and sinned greatly, and that’s hope for us as well. You can be a person after God’s heart and please Him with your life. Learn more in the message
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How to Be a person after God’s own Heart
There are so many of us who need to to re-ignite our spiritual lives. It might not be today for you, but if you’ve been on this journey for a while, you will need to do it more than once.
The good news is – God’s grace is sufficient. It’s more than enough. He still stands at the door and knocks. We still need to open the door so you can come a abide with us.
We need to be able to say like Paul –
1 Corinthians 15:10 NIVUK – But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
It’s been such a hard go lately. We’ve all had moments at being at the breaking point. We may all have wanted to give up.
Some things we needed to give up. They weren’t the light yoke Jesus had for us. Other things, we need to re-ignite and re-awaken.
Like the love we first had for Jesus when we first believed.
If we want discernment, we need to never be lacking in zeal, but keep our spiritual zeal serving the Lord. We need to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. We can’t allow a hardening of our hearts. We need to be quick to confess when it happens and quick to repent when to stop it from continuing to happen.
The easiest way to do all that is to a person after God’s own heart.
Can I pray?
There is someone who God said was a person after His own heart.
David didn’t always follow the law…
- Ate the bread that was only for the priests 1 Samuel 21:6 (see Leviticus 24:9)
- Moved the Ark on a cart, when it always needed to be carried 2 Samuel 6:3 (see Exodus 25:10-15)
- Took back his wife who had been with another man 2 Samuel 3:14-16 (see Deuteronomy 24:1-4)
- Slept with another man’s wife, and then had him killed 2 Samuel 11 (see Exodus 20:17 and Exodus 20:13)
These are all clearly disallowed.
Did he not know them? Maybe the law wasn’t important to him?
To find out about David, go to the Psalms that he wrote.
Psalm 19 (New Living Translation)
For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.[a]
4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.
7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.
10 They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
11 They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.
12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 40:8 I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”
So David knew the Law. He loved the Law. He was a lawbreaker.
I don’t know about you, but that gives me hope.
Because I know I can’t do it in my own righteousness. There’s not enough good in me, apart from God in me, to do the good I know I ought to do.
Because Father say about David:
But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’ Acts 13:22 (NLT
What do you think it means to be a person after God’s own heart?
It can’t mean that we don’t sin.
It can’t mean that we don’t mess up.
It can’t mean that we don’t hurt ourselves and others.
What did it mean for David?
Why was David a person after God’s own heart?
We get a clue when we see what David did 7 times in the book of Samuel.
1. He asked the Lord…
in the book of Samuel there are 7 times…
1. 1 Samuel 23:2
David asked the Lord, “Should I go and attack them?” “Yes, go and save Keilah,” the Lord told him.
2. 1 Samuel 23:4
So David asked the Lord again, and again the Lord replied, “Go down to Keilah, for I will help you conquer the Philistines.”
3. 2 Samuel 2:1
After this, David asked the Lord, “Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?” “Yes,” the Lord replied. Then David asked, “Which town should I go to?”“To Hebron,” the Lord answered.
4. 2 Samuel 5:19
So David asked the Lord, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord replied to David, “Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you.”
6. 2 Samuel 5:23
And again David asked the Lord what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” the Lord replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees.
7. 2 Samuel 21:1
There was a famine during David’s reign that lasted for three years, so David asked the Lord about it. And the Lord said, “The famine has come because Saul and his family are guilty of murdering the Gibeonites.”
2. He did what the Lord said…
‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’ Acts 13:22 (New Living Translation)
Saul – the King David replaced – asked the Lord…but the Lord didn’t answer. See 1 Samuel 14:37, 1 Samuel 28:5-6
Why couldn’t Saul get a response from God?
Saul did things out of fear, not faith. He was waiting for Samuel to come and present the offering. But they were facing the Philistines who had iron and they only had sticks and bronze. His men were deserting, so he decided he’d preform the sacrifice himself. It was out of fear. Samuel came right while the offering was finishing and asked him what he thought he was doing.
“How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” 1 Samuel 13:13-14 (NLT)
After Samuel told Saul his Kingdom must end, God would not respond to Saul’s questions. Before that, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him, and he prophesied. And he was changed into a different person.
But fear got to him.
And the boy that hid in the baggage, was the king who worried about people and wasn’t concerned about God.
God looked beyond Saul’s actions to His heart when He rejected him as king.
You don’t need to listen to condemnation that says, “You’ve sinned so God will never speak to you again.” If you are hearing this message there is hope for you.
You can confess the way your heart has grown cold and how you’ve forgotten your first love and you can repent and do the things you did you at first.
We live in an age of grace and His grace is sufficient. He empowers us to accomplish every good work prompted by faith. He will finish the good work He’s started in us.
What would it be like to once again be a person after God’s own heart?
What would change in your day-to-day of everyday?
How do we be a person after God’s heart?
ASK
Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. John 16:24
A – Ask God James 4:2
S – Seek wisdom and act on the wisdom He gives James 1:5
K – Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking Matthew 7:7-11
A – Ask God
…you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. James 4:2 (NLT)
We can get so busy working towards whatever we want to do that we forget to ask God if it’s something He wants us to do and/or if it’s something He is going to bless as we do it.
Wisdom is learning from others. I’ve done this too much in my life. Don’t do what what I’ve done, listen to what I’ve learned the hard way. Learn to look to what God is doing and ask Him to bless the work of your hands. This is Saul’s mistake. Don’t be like Saul. Be like David and ask God what to do.
Do I ask God for what I’m willing to work for?
S – Seek wisdom and act on the wisdom He gives
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 (NLT)
Analysis Paralysis is not the way to do. Look for the path of peace. That’s not the path of least of resistance, it’s the path that “seems good to us and Holy Spirit”.
Don’t doubt the wisdom He gives you. Act on wisdom you have.
Obey the still small voice as He directs your steps day to day.
Send that friend that pops into your mind an email.
Pray for the person you think you’ve just saw.
Ask the Father for Prophetic words for those you meet.
Obey the clear command to step out of the boat when it comes.
Peter: “Lord, if it’s you, command me to come.”
Am I obeying what He’s telling me to do?
K – Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. Matthew 7:7-11 (NLT)
Difference between needs and who we are becoming.
Needs –
Matthew 6:7-8 When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!
Your good Father knows what you need.
Why is that different from what He says in the next Chapter…during the same message?
Don’t babble like the pagans vs Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking
Your Father knows what you need vs Your Father gives good gifts
needs vs gifts
Needs = trust your good Father
Gifts = keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking because your Father gives good gifts
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6
So how do you seek Him with all of your heart? It’s a decision, it’s your emotions, it’s your actions.
You make the decision to seek God.
7 Reasons to seek the LORD
1. You will fully understand justice Proverbs 28:5
2. You don’t need to worry about everything everyone worries about Matthew 6:31-33
3. God’s eyes will be on you and His ears will be attentive to your prayers 1 Peter 3:11-12
4. You will be delivered from your fears Psalm 34:4
5. You will live! Amos 5:4
6. You will be strengthened 1 Chronicles 16:11
7. God will be found 1 Chronicles 28:9, Jeremiah 29:13
Have I made the decision to seek the Lord?
How do you seek God with your emotions?
Peace Psalm 34:14 ; Joy Psalm 16:11, Psalm 105:3-4; Hope Lamentation 3:21-25 Gladness Psalm 40:16, 1 Chronicles 16:10, Psalm 70:4; No fear Psalm 34:4-5; Freedom Psalms 107:13-14; Blessed Psalm 119:2; Vindication Psalm 24:5-6
Do I feel like I’m seeking God?
How do you seek God with your actions?
8 Ways to Seek the Lord
1. With our Prayers Jeremiah 29:12-14a
2. With our whole heart 1 Chronicles 28:9; Deuteronomy 4:29
3. With our Decision Psalm 27:8
4. With our Thoughts Isaiah 55:6-7
5. With our Actions Psalm 24:4-6
6. With our Words Psalm 34:12-16
7. With prayer and fasting Daniel 9:3
8. Humbly do what is right Zephaniah 2:3
Do I have actions that show me I’m seeking God?
That is how you seek the Lord, that is why you seek the Lord, that is how it feels seeking the Lord, the question becomes…
Am I seeking God always?
Conclusion
David was a man after God’s own heart. You and I need to be that as well. You can, Holy Spirit helping you.
Are you lacking the fervour you once had for the things of God?
Today’s the day you can reawaken to never be lacking in zeal
It’s through confession and repentance.
Don’t leave here lacking anything today.
Podcasts, Live Cast and Training on knowing God
- How to Know God As Father https://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-know-god-as-father/
- Enjoying God as Father https://revtrev.com/living-light/enjoying-god-as-father/
- How to Know God as your Good, Good Father https://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-know-god-as-your-good-good-father/
- God is always with us, Will I be with Him? https://revtrev.com/living-light/god-is-always-with-us-will-i-be-with-him/
- It’s God’s will to Heal https://revtrev.com/livecasts/its-gods-will-to-heal/
- How I Hear the Father Speak to me https://revtrev.com/live-intentional/how-i-hear-the-father-speak-to-me/
- I Trust God as My Good Father https://revtrev.com/livecasts/negativity-fast-reflection-day-34-i-trust-my-good-father/
- How to be at peace with God in the day to day of everyday https://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-be-at-peace-with-god-in-the-day-to-day-of-everyday/
- Can my Weary Soul Rejoice Again? https://revtrev.com/livecasts/can-my-weary-soul-rejoice-again/
- How to understand and enjoy the Gifts God has for your Today https://revtrev.com/message/how-to-understand-and-enjoy-the-gifts-god-has-for-you-today/
- May God Produce in you.. https://revtrev.com/livecasts/blessing-day-21-livecast-may-god-produce-in-you/
- How to Know and Experience More of our Triune God https://revtrev.com/living-light/trinity-essential/
- Do you live out of your God-Created Identity? https://revtrev.com/manifesto/live-out-your-god-created-identity/
- How to Use God’s Gifts for One Another https://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-use-gods-gifts-for-one-another/
- 10 Things God Can’t Do https://revtrev.com/live-hopeful/ten-things-god-cant-do/
- How to be a person after God’s Own Heart https://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-be-a-person-after-gods-own-heart/
- Should I be Hungry for God? https://revtrev.com/live-intentional/should-i-be-hungry-for-god/
- How I hear the Father Speak https://revtrev.com/live-today/how-i-hear-the-father-speak/
- Does God want Good For Me? https://revtrev.com/live-loved/does-god-want-good-for-me/
- How does God Discipline Us? https://revtrev.com/live-light/how-does-god-discipline-us/
- Move Forward Following the Ancient Paths https://revtrev.com/living-light/move-forward-following-the-ancient-paths/
- Seek the Lord when you don’t know what to do https://revtrev.com/living-light/seek-the-lord-when-you-dont-know-what-to-do/
- How to build up strongholds that are good and necessary https://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-build-up-strongholds-that-are-good-and-necessary/
- Why everyone needs to know and practice the rhythm of remembering https://revtrev.com/living-light/why-everyone-needs-and-practice-the-rhythm-of-remembering/
- 16 Reasons You Can Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart https://revtrev.com/living-light/16-reasons-you-can-trust-in-the-lord-with-all-your-heart/
- How to grow stronger when life seems impossible https://revtrev.com/livecasts/how-to-grow-stronger-when-life-seems-impossible/
- Seek the Lord when No One is watching https://revtrev.com/message/seek-the-lord-when-no-one-is-watching/
- How to have Faith for the Long Haul https://revtrev.com/livecasts/how-to-have-faith-for-the-long-haul/
- Shattering the 7 Myths that Lead to Complacency https://revtrev.com/living-light/shattering-the-7-myths-that-lead-to-complacency/
- Biblical Patience and why we need to have it https://revtrev.com/living-light/patience-biblical-patience-today/
- How to be a trustable person https://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-be-a-trustable-person/
- 3 Thoughts to help you get through tough times https://revtrev.com/living-light/3-thoughts-to-help-you-get-through-tough-times/
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