Today I would like to talk about the importance of seeking after God’s own heart through our obedience.

What a beautiful description of David’s life: “David had served God’s purpose in his own generation.” I want to live as David and be remembered as serving God’s purpose when I finish my journey here on earth. Don’t you?

David had served God’s purpose in his own generation. This means that during his life time he sought God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness. Even though he had stumbled in trials and errors because of his sins, he continued to seek God’s face all the time. Until he was called home by God, he was trying to invest his life for the glory and honor of the Lord. He didn’t quit. He didn’t give up. So I think David is truly our role model as a pillar of faith. This verse in Acts 13:36 is very simple, but it has a profound meaning for us. Let’s see what we can learn from him.

David had a frustrating life. When young, he lived in the shadow of his brothers; then later he was constantly on the run from vengeful King Saul. Even after he became Israel’s King, David was involved in constant warfare to defend his kingdom. And tragically though King David was a great military conqueror, he could not conquer his lusts. He surrendered to one night of lust with Bathsheba and it resulted in disastrous consequences in his life, in his family, and in his nation. He killed Bathsheba’s husband by putting him at the forefront of battle to be killed by Israel’s enemies. Although David was the father of Solomon, he also was the father of Absalom whose rebellion brought bloodshed and grief. He was an ordinary sinner like us, but he was able to experience God’s forgiveness as he repented of his sins constantly. He admitted his sins before the Lord, and turned his eyes to the Lord always for restoration. (Note: how did David’s sin bring disaster to the nation? when we read the whole story of David’s life after his sin, we become painfully aware of just how costly his sin was. David did repent of his sins, and God did forgive them, but the consequences of his sins were great (2 Samuel 12:13-14). David’s son died. David’s daughter was raped by one of his sons. Another son seeks to take the throne from David. Also, 70,000 Israelites died.)

In his youth, David killed Goliath, a giant and Philistine champion, and was victorious over many of his enemies because he trusted in God for the victory and not himself. Despite many opportunities, David refused to kill King Saul, God’s anointed, and David became friends with his son, Jonathan, which is a model of friendship we can all learn from. David is listed in the Hebrews “Hall of Faith” in chapter 11. An ancestor of Jesus, David was often called “A man after God’s own heart” in Acts 13:23, etc.

Because of David’s sincere heart toward God as a man after God’s own heart, he was able to experience God’s victories throughout his life.

Though he committed sins, David loved God deeply throughout his entire life. Even with all his successes, sins, and failures he was committed to God. We can learn from David about God’s forgiveness and become like his descendant Jesus who accepts us where we are but doesn’t leave us there. Jesus wants us to change, we are changeable and he’ll continue to work on us just as God worked on David.

Though we are weak and ordinary people God can use us for his kingdom as long as we continue to seek his will and the kingdom of God. God is still looking for men and women he can use to extend his kingdom.

God is not expecting us to be perfect; he knows our weaknesses and our limits. He is seeking our heart toward Him. Throughout every day of our lives, He wants us to depend on Him with a Kingdom Focused Mind. As long as we are seeking His own heart and pursuing His enablement as David did, we will experience true victory in the Lord.

God is still looking for men and women he can use to extend his kingdom.  I pray that you will be that person God is looking for. Even though David committed sin, God loved him deeply throughout his entire life. In spite of our weaknesses, God will continue to work on us as long as we are seeking God’s own heart as David did.