A Man After God's Own Heart? by Jerry A. (Tony) Sayre
(http://www.geocities.com/~truthfactor/)
The apostle Paul, as he teaches in a Jewish synagogue, in Antioch of Pisidia, quotes God's characterization of King David of Israel as "a man after My own heart...." Luke records this event, in Acts 13:22. Paul was embarked on the first of four evangelistic journeys that are recorded in the book The Acts of the Apostles.
A quick study of the life of King David would make one wonder about the description. As we look at David's life we soon come to realize that he committed adultery, tried to cover the act up when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, conspired to have her husband killed, was successful in that murder and then after his murder married the Bathsheba as his own wife.
There were horrific consequences that went with the sins that David committed. Strife and war would plague his family for the rest of his life. Incest came into his family when his son Absalom raped his half sister. The child of his adulterous affair with Bathsheba died and David was greatly grieved over the child's death. So why did God Himself describe David "as a man after My own heart."?
Certainly we each must understand that there is no sin in the Godhead. God can not sin. Notice John's teaching as he compares God to light, 1 Jn 1:5-7, and proclaims that "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all." God does not sin nor does he condone or tempt mankind to commit sin, 1 Cor 10:13. What made David a man after the heart of the Almighty?
David was not a perfect man by any description of the term. He was though a man of deep faith and understanding. David's relationship with God was not one of simple convenience or a hobbyistic religious relationship, which seems so common today. He seemed to understand God's will for him, personally and for Israel, nationally. He tried to rule with God's principles and directives at the forefront of his thoughts. He realized that it is not the man who lives a perfect life that stands justified before God but the man who is forgiven, Ps 32:1-2; Rom 4:6-8. David was a man after God's heart because he regretted sin, 2 Sam 12:13 and when he realized that there was sin in his life he asked God to forgive him and turned from his sinful activity.
Repentance is such an important and misunderstood concept. Repentance is not the confession of sin, although that is required as well. Repentance is the turning away from sin. It is the change of heart and mind that results in a change of action. It is a necessary action for our salvation, Acts 2:38. It is something that we must continue through our lives as children of God. We must continue to identify and understand sin and put it out of our lives. Paul entreats the Corinthians to "examine themselves," 2 Cor 15:55.
David is an important role model in our lives. We each should examine ourselves and repent, change. Put sin out of our lives. It takes a great deal of courage both to admit the sin, rather than minimize it, and then to be disciplined enough to change. Change is often difficult to deal with, but it is worthwhile, especially when the eternal part of our nature is in consideration. It is also interesting to note that David dealt with the consequences of his sin by putting his trust in God and pulling strength from Him as well. It is very easy to become so distraught with the grief and guilt of sin that we fail to look forward to the goal and even though we have received forgiveness of the sin, Satan continues to control us by causing us to look back, so often at our past. Look at the word's of the apostle Paul, in Phil 3:12, "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me." Paul refused to allow Satan to control his life through guilt.
We each need to have the courage to effect change in our lives. We have all sinned, Rom 3:23:6:23, and need to repent and then to continue to grow through the word of God, Heb 5:12-14.
Copyright 1999, Jerry Sayre, Truth Factor.
Whoever Takes the Son... Author Unknown (contributed by L. Dillinger)
Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young on, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned he walls of the family estate. The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector.
The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors round the world. War engulfed the nation and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again.
Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced his son's upcoming birthday with anguish and sadness.
On his son's birthday morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you."
As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man's son had told everyone of his - not to mention his father's - love of fine art. "I'm an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man's son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting was full of precious detail.
Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings.
And then the man sat in his chair and spent the day gazing at the gift he had been given. During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy's life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart.
As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received.
The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation. With the collector's passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at an auction.
According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on his son's birthday, the day he had received his greatest gift. The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim "I have the greatest paintings money can buy"
The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum's list. It was the painting of the man's son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid.
The room was silent. "Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of the room came, "Who cares about that painting? It's just a picture of his son. Let's forget it and go on to the good stuff." More voices echoed in agreement. "No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer. "Now, who will take the son?" Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. "Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That's all I have. I knew the boy, so I'd like to have it.
Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice. Gone."
The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these treasures!" The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over.
Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean it's over? We didn't come here for a picture of some old guy's son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what's going on here!"
The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son...gets it all.
Puts things into perspective, doesn't it? Just as those art collectors discovered on that day, the message is still the same - the love of a Father - a Father whose greeatest joy came from his son who went away and gave his life rescuing others. And because of that Father's love...whoever takes the Son, gets it all.