Emulating the Heart of David

“Nobodies, nobody noticed… A little boy named David, whom nobody noticed… except God,” wrote Chuck Swindoll in his Reflections on David.

Yet, David rose to be the greatest of Israel’s kings, a prolific writer of Psalms, and a key figure in the ancestry of the Messiah.

Why?

It’s all summed up that he was “a man after God’s own heart.”

David was imperfect, like the rest of us and possessed feet of clay. However, when you read his writings, you can feel a heart attuned to the heart of God.

Yesterday’s post focused on Psalm 19:14, where David penned, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

If you haven’t read the prior post, take a moment and read it now. As an application, examine David’s heart as reflected in his own words.

#1 Words of Divine Introspection. Ps. 139: 23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

#2 Words of Testimony to God’s Goodness. Ps 31:19
Oh, how great is Your goodness,

#3 Words of Penitence. Ps. 51:4
Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight —

#4 Words of Praise and Worship. Ps 34:1-3
Will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together

#5 Words of Trust. Ps. 23:1-4
“The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall Not Want.

#6 Words of Humility Ps. 131:1-2
Lord, my heart is not haughty,
Nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me.

#7 Words of Honesty and Transparency when we struggle. Ps. 13:1-2
How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?

How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

#8 Words of Confidence in God’s Justice. Ps. 37:1-7
Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.

#9 Words of Encouragement to Others. Ps. 34:8
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.

#10 Words of God’s Guidance. Ps. 73:24; 119:133
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.

Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me.

David’s Words Reflect…

• Honesty in self-examination
• Recognition of Divine favor
• Praise in blessing
• Repentance in failure
• Trust in trials
• Humility in success
• Transparency in suffering
• Hope in justice
• Reassurance, optimism, inspiration, and direction to Divine seekers

If we are to be people after God’s own heart, we would do well to dig deep into David’s heart, examine his writing, and reflect on the meaning for our 21st-century lives. When we do, our words will be a reflection of a heart pleasing to God.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman