August 23

“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” —1 SAMUEL 16:7

How do I become someone after God’s own heart? What is He looking for? What will please Him? In Acts 13:22, Paul records what God says about David. “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’.” 

David’s predecessor was Saul who disobeyed God in order to please the people. He said, “I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them” (1 Samuel 15:24). David, in contrast, obeyed God, and always “inquired of the Lord”. In every generation, the views and expectancy of others can be so influential we tend to think like Saul. Life is easier to go with the flow, but a person after God’s own heart does not make their own plans, but will go against the flow, because their ears are tuned into the voice of God. 

A person after God’s own heart does not manipulate their own process. David spent years on the run from Saul, but did not do anything to instigate or speed up the process of getting himself on the throne of Israel. Though he had several opportunities to slay Saul, he refused to even harm him, leaving the course of events entirely up to God. When we sense God’s leading, there is often opposition that will block our way, and the temptation is to manipulate it out of our way. But then, it becomes our fight, our responsibility. Rather than trying to fight God’s battles for Him, our role is to trust Him, and allow God to bring about His purpose His way. 

A person after God’s own heart does not manufacture their own power. David was fully aware of his own inabilities, but at the same time, fully aware of the power of God. He said to Goliath, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty…” (1 Samuel 17:45). Saul would have been the likely candidate to battle Goliath, but he trembled in fear, because his strength was no longer sourced in God, but in himself.

To be someone after God’s own heart is being obedient to Him, doing what He says, and knowing that every day we live in dependence on Him, aware of His presence and being grateful for it. God is the fixed point for any crisis, any temptation, any illness, anything that frightens us, and we not only trust Him in these times, but live in His strength, confident He is working out His good purpose for us.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to live in your strength, dependent on You every day, and trusting You in every circumstance. Thank You, Lord. 

TO REFLECT UPON: In my actions, does the voice of God take priority over what others may think?