Being a Man After God's Heart

The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.

2 Chronicles 16:9

Are you a man after God’s own Heart? The past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to share my dream with the guys at Men Step Up and One Thing - being a man after God’s own heart and encouraging other guys to be one too. David inspired my dream, for God called him a man after His own heart, not once but twice! (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22) But I’ve often wondered, what does that mean? It couldn’t mean being perfect, as David certainly had his own shortcomings including adultery, murder and being a poor father.

Knowing God could use a man like David gives me hope that He can use me as well. David had a heart for God. He shared God’s passions and priorities. This was apparent early in David’s life when he went up against Goliath. (1 Samuel 17) He couldn’t stand on the sidelines and listen to Goliath taunting the army of Israel, let alone insulting God. He accepted Goliath’s challenge, entrusting himself to God, and the rest is history.

Where did the courage to take on a giant warrior with much more experience and superior armament arise? It came from a heart beating in harmony with the living God. David believed God was with him and for him. After all, David’s name means “beloved.” Despite his awesome appearance, Goliath’s name revealed he was really an “exile” from God. God’s presence was David’s secret to being not only a great military leader, but a political and spiritual one as well.

Today, we have an even greater promise than David! God is not only with us and for us, but also lives in and through us because of Jesus Christ. Whatever giants we may face, the battle is not ours but God’s, because of Christ in us, the hope of glory! (Colossians 1:27)

Ultimately, I believe being a man after God’s own heart means learning to appreciate Jesus’ presence in our lives by delighting in Him. Our anticipation then grows as we look forward to what He is going to do through us for His glory, and our good. (Psalm 37:4-6)

Arise and shine,

Steve