READING: 1 Samuel 13-14, Luke 18:1-30
I’ve read the words many times, and I’ve preached on them several times—but I don’t know that I’ve contemplated them as deeply as I have today. Samuel used these words to describe David when he would be appointed the next king of Israel: “the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart” (1 Sam 13:14). The words are clearly an affirmation of David, but what does it mean to have this kind of heart?
This new king would be one who would be prepared to follow the Lord’s will. He would be obedient, unlike Saul had been. He would be “like-minded” with God – quite a description for anyone seeking to follow God! In fact, this text forces me to ask if I’m like-minded with God about . . . where my heart leans, how I love others, what I do with temptation, how I lead my staff, how I make decisions, how I spend money, how I talk, etc. I could go on and on, asking recurrently whether I think and act like one who calls himself “Christian” ought to do.
More specifically, the question for me is whether those who know me best would say I’m a man after God’s heart. If they don’t see it, it’s likely not there.
PRAYER: “God, give me a heart after Yours.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Be courageous enough today to ask someone who knows you well how he or she reads your heart—and then just listen. Don’t get defensive.
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Samuel 15-16, Luke 18:31-19:10
