Men of the Bibleনমুনা

David

God refers to David as ‘a man after my own heart.' What an endorsement! Who wouldn’t want a character reference like that? But an obvious question is how could God refer to David in this way when he committed such terrible sins, even murder? But before we pass judgment, let’s look at some key characteristics of this man in his own words.

David had absolute faith in God. As a young shepherd boy, before fearlessly slaying Goliath, he said, ‘The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’

David loved God’s laws. Of the 150 psalms, David is credited for writing over half of them. Declarations like, ‘For I delight in your commands because I love them. I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love.’ And David was always thankful even through all his mountains and valleys. He penned this classic: ‘Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!’

Most importantly, David was truly repentant. The mighty fall hard, and David’s encounter with Bathsheba included lying, adultery, and murder. Yet he says, ‘Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.’ Yes, David failed at times, sometimes in a big way, but he was a man of faith who loved and constantly thanked God, loving His Word and commands, and he knew the power of God’s amazing forgiveness.

A man after God’s own heart.

Written by ROBBIE PARKIN