A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART

...The Lord has sought out a man after His own heart... (1 Sam. 13:14)

       My mother loved Dr. Ben Davis, a pediatrician loved by many mothers in the College Park-East Point-Hapeville area. She didn't actually "worship" him, of course, but in her mind "he could do no wrong." Here's the reason: He worked hard at medicine, or as we often say, "he practiced medicine." He was good at it. He would take off every Monday (not to golf!)—just to keep up with his knowledge, reading medical journals and related literature.

       Dr. Davis and his tireless zeal for medicine offers us a fine illustration of what the Lord meant when He said of David: "I have found in David...a man after my heart, who will practice(better translation than "do") all my will" (Acts 13:22; 1 Sam. 13:14). A man after God's own heart: It's all about tendency! Dr. Davis' direction in life, his overall tendency—well, Dr. Ben Davis lived and breathed medicine. David's direction in life, his overall tendency—well, David lived and breathed GOD!

       In life, David practiced God. Oh he would make his mistakes, as would Dr. Davis (sorry, Mother!), but "more often than not" David would obey God and follow His heart closely and when he did sin—it broke his heart  (Psalm 32:1-5; 51:3-5, 17) and would lead to genuine godly sorrow (repentance: Psalm 51:1-19; 2 Cor. 7:8-11). Just as God sought after David (1 Sam. 13:14), so David quite naturally sought after God!

       Don't focus on David's sins, for sin will always distract you from a proper vision of God. Focus your attention on David's passion, his insatiable appetite for an always closer relationship with God. What is your tendency in life? What is your practice? What do you think about day and night, first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and every moment in between? Imagine God not existing: Would your life be any different than it is now? Never forget this: God didn't choose David because he was a particularly good man; God chose David (in contrast to King Saul) because David knew that he could not live without Him! What about you?

       What are you practicing every day? Do your thoughts and actions Monday through Saturday betray or confirm your words on Sunday mornings? If we can just process and apply them, these words from the Holy Spirit will help us improve our practice: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you" (Phil. 4:8-9 ESV).

                                                                    Eric C. Whelchel

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him!

                                                               (David, Psalm 34:8)