A MAN AFTER GOD'S HEART 1

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, AND THEY WERE WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."
1 Corinthians 10:11 (NKJV)
READ: 2 Samuel 7:1-17; 22:21-31

• We want to look at some of the lessons that could be LEARNT in the life of David the King of Israel.
THE man David got a name for himself through his Walk with God. - He was called a man after God's heart when chosen to take the place of Saul: "But your [Saul] kingdom shall not continue. THE LORD HAS SOUGHT FOR HIMSELF A MAN AFTER HIS OWN HEART, and the LORD has commanded him to be Commander over His people, because you [Saul] have not kept what the LORD commanded you" (1 Samuel 13:14).
GOD chose David to replace Saul who disobeyed God, who did not keep the commandment of God given him (1 Samuel 13:13); also rebelled against what the LORD instructed him to do (1 Samuel 15:17-29).

• David had his shortcomings or defects LIKE any other human being who lives to contend with the flesh, however, we want to look at some of the things that are good, which can be emulated in his Life.
  THINGS which were written are for our Learnings: "FOR WHATEVER THINGS WERE WRITTEN BEFORE WERE WRITTEN FOR OUR LEARNING, that we through the patience [perseverance] and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4).
  READ: 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16

• David exhibited certain attributes that endeared him to God.

I. He had a thirsty HEART for God: "O God, you are my God; early will I seek You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water" (Psalm 63:1).

• If you are thirsty for God, He will satisfy you (Matthew 5:6).
  IF you thirst after righteousness, you shall be filled: "BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR THEY SHALL BE FILLED" (Matthew 5:6).
  WHAT do you thirst for? DO you thirst, crave, or desire for God?
• You thirst for God By being intimate with Him.
  YOU thirst for God By reading, studying, and meditating in His Word—practice whatever you have gleaned through the studying of His Word (James 1:22,25).
• You thirst for God by desiring to know more of Him and do His will. WHEN you always want to know His will on every matter at hand, and being willing to do it when it is made known to you. You are ready to drop your own plans for His!
• You thirst for God By living a surrendered Life, a Life of commitment and that of unwavering submission to His Will. WILLING to endure for His purposes, and things about His Kingdom, or whatever pertains to Him.
• You want to do His work, think about the expansion of His Kingdom on earth, and making yourself available to be used for any need that may arise in His Kingdom.

ABOUT DAVID:

1. "Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies all around,
2. that the King said to Nathan the prophet, "SEE NOW, I DWELL IN A HOUSE OF CEDAR, BUT THE ARK OF GOD DWELLS INSIDE TENT CURTAINS."
3. Then Nathan said to the King, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you."
4. But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,
5. Go and tell My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: "WOULD YOU BUILD A HOUSE FOR ME [God] TO DWELL IN?"
   2 Samuel 7:1-5 (NKJV)

II. David was a man of faith, who is quick to believe and quick to accept his errors or mistakes and repent whenever he misses it (2 Samuel 12:13).

• When he was told by God through Prophet Nathan, what would be done for him and his posterity, he believes (2 Samuel 7:12-18).
  WHEN he confronted Goliath, he BELIEVED, he had the faith that God would help him to conquer Goliath, yet he was an ordinary shepherd boy (1 Samuel 17:45-47).
  WHEN he was convicted of his Sin, in his affairs with Bathsheba, he accepted without arguing and was willing to repent. He mourned and with a heart of contrition.
  DAVID may not be a perfect person, but he had the Fear of God, an unusual passion for God, and whatever pertains to Him.
  LESSONS
• Without faith you cannot please God (see Hebrews 11:6). Whoever wants to walk WITH God would have to do that by faith.
  UNBELIEF displeases Him while FAITH pleases Him.
• If you did anything wrong and you are reprimanded, corrected, do not try to defend yourself or be angry about it (Proverbs 15:32,33).
  BE humble enough to admit what you have done wrong and be repentant (Proverbs 28:13).
  WHEN some are confronted to be corrected for what they have done wrong, instead of admitting their wrongs and right IT, they would want to fight: "He who is often rebuked, AND HARDENS HIS NECK,
  Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Proverbs 29:1).
  THEY could put up boldness and want to quarrel with the person who is correcting THEM (Proverbs 9:7,8).
• This kind of attitude amounts to or is considered A pride in the sight of God, and "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE" (1 Peter 5:5).
  READ: Proverbs 16:18; 11:2

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
Peace!
TO BE CONTINUED