A Heart for God Acts 13:16 23 How would you like to be remembered? Like Saints such as Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, & Paul. They have inspired believers throughout the ages. Yet each of them, although imperfect. They are an amazing example of what the Lord can do. Through hearts that are truly committed to Him. Do you want to be like them? A person who honors God wholeheartedly?
I. We have an excellent example to follow. The Bible says that King David followed God with all his heart Acts 13:22-23 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. Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: At the core of everything he did was a desire to exalt the Lord. The Father wants our paths to be governed by His plans. Our interests to be defined by His purposes. Then our love to motivate us to obey Him without reservation. When we pursue God’s heart. We find life at its best & is a legacy worth leaving to those who come after us.
II. How can we know if we are following God with all our heart? A. The priority of our life is our personal relationship with the Lord. A person after God’s heart makes his or her relationship with Him a top priority. David had an overwhelming love & respect for the Scriptures. Because it taught him how to draw closer to the Father. Psalms 119:15-16 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. He often sought God in prayer for strength,& wisdom. Along with the Father’s wonderful presence Psalms 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Psalms 63:6-8 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. B. We place our trust in the Lord when facing trials & difficulties. David trusted in God no matter what hardship he faced. While the rest of Israel’s warriors cowered before Goliath’s terrifying nine-foot frame. David was outraged by how the Philistine dishonored God’s name
1 Samuel 17:45-46 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Throughout his life! He endured extraordinary challenges with great confidence. He knew that the Lord would help him. Because of David’s faith & leadership. Israel prospered in a manner unsurpassed to this day.
C. We have a strong, passionate desire to obey God. As a man after God’s heart. David delighted in accomplishing the Lord’s will. His obedience wasn’t motivated by the fear of sin’s consequences. Rather, it was David’s trust & love for God. That led him to submit wholly to the Lord.
On two occasions! David had the opportunity to kill Saul & take the throne of Israel. Yet he preferred to be obedient to God than to be the king 1 Samuel 24:6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
D. We demonstrate a spirit of humility. This future king also shows us that a person with a heart for God is humble. David had many reasons to be proud. He was a handsome man, a skilled musician, the Lord’s anointed ruler. He was a triumphant warrior, & even a national hero.
Yet in 2 Samuel 7:18, David said, Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
E. We demonstrate the spirit of a servant. When he was young man. David accepted his father’s authority & obediently tended to the family sheep. As a worker in Saul’s household. David offered his very best to the king. Including his musical talents & skills as a military leader. Finally, David served the people of Israel wholeheartedly as their king. In each instance, he was a dedicated, & a faithful servant of God.
Conclusion: Do you desire to mirror God’s heart. To influence those around you for good? You would be wise to follow David’s example. Make your relationship with the Lord a top priority. I mean to trust & obey Him in everything. When you succeed! Remember that all you are and have is a gift from God. Then you will show the world that your heart belongs exclusively to Him. The altar is now open for business.
