Thursday, December 13
DAVID
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Today, we are taking a look at the life
and heart of David, specifically when he was anointed king of
The Lord does not look at outward
appearance, but the heart. David wasn’t
the one that people would have chosen.
However, he was chosen by God.
David hadn’t been consecrated like Jesse and his other sons had. They didn’t even invite David to the
sacrifice. Certainly, he was not
going to be chosen as the next king.
Yet, he was chosen by God, because David’s heart was set on God. He was obedient. God used Him; he was willing. He had a right heart.
A look at the Psalms will give us a
glimpse at what David’s heart was like.
You can read through the many Psalms on your own; in fact, that’s a
great idea, but I just want to take a look at a few selections right now. First, let us hear David’s cry to the
Lord. What was his real desire? “Search
me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be
any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) David
knew that “whosoever abideth
in [the Lord] sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” (1 John 3:6)
He wanted the Lord to search his heart and get rid of even the tiniest bit
of wickedness because he knew that that would separate him from the Lord.
David had a heart set on God. He had a desire to know God and be known by
Him. He had a desire to have intimate
fellowship with his God. Let’s take a
look at Psalm 24:3-5. “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD?
or who shall stand in his holy place? He
that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto
vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall
receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his
salvation.” It’s not the people that
are great physically, intellectually, or politically that will be great in the
Kingdom of God; God uses the meek and humble, that have clean hands and a pure
heart. Now, David wasn’t perfect. If you read the Scriptures, you will find
that he sinned. But, David repented of his sin and his heart was made pure in the
sight of God once again. “I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine
iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the
LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”
(Psalm 32:5) You see, the wicked think that they are great; they flatter
themselves and do not fear God (Psalm 26:1-2).
But it is those with their hearts right before Him that He can use for
His Will.
~ Joel Warren