◄ What Does Acts 13:22 Mean? ►

"After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, 'I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY HEART, who will do all My will.'

Acts 13:22(NASB)

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Verse of the Day

Israel was unique among the nations for they were God's chosen people and He was their King. Israel is still unique among the nations and remains His chosen people, but Israel rebelled against the Lord, desiring to be ruled like the Gentile nations in preference to living under God's divine leadership.

God granted their request and gave them Saul to be their king, but because of his disobedience God removed Israel's dashing but defiant king from Israel's throne, and chose David, a young shepherd-boy, to become the nation's greatest ruler.

Although he was considered to be the least important member of his family and regarded with disdain by his more debonair siblings, David trusted the Lord. And God Who examines the heart, recognised in him as a man of integrity, faithfulness, and moral character with a trusting and obedient heart. David's father, Jesse, saw an inexperienced teenager. His brothers labelled him as a little pest. Samuel saw a healthy looking juvenile, but God Who examines the inner thoughts of the heart, discovered a young man who put God first and trusted His Word at all times.

David was far from perfect. He failed the Lord on many occasions, and sinned against God in some terrible ways, but he was quick to recognise his wrongdoings and genuinely repented of his sin. He readily confessed to the Lord, desired to do what is right, held fast to the truth of God's Word, and trusted the Lord to keep His promises. Yes, David's heart was right before the Lord, which was why David was a man after God's own heart.

There is much that we can learn from this great king of Israel. He was quick to recognise his wrongdoing and quick to repent of his sinfulness. And although sin can never be condoned or ignored by the Lord, nevertheless a man after God's own heart is one who is quick to identify and confess his own sinfulness and who desires to have God search out his faults and failures, so that they may be quickly corrected and wonderfully purified by God cleansing flood.

David exemplified a life that God can take and use for His own sovereign purposes; a life that trusts in the Lord with all their heart and does not lean on their own understanding. He is a great example of a man with a teachable spirit, whose heart is quick to repent; a loyal, faithful and obedient heart that is set apart unto God and delights to do His will.

May we who rejoice in the truth of God's Word, seek to be men and women of integrity and godly character. May we be willing servants who are quick to confess our sins; faithful to obey His commands; obedient to trust His word, walk in spirit and truth, and day by day continue to look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that I may be quick to confess my own sin, eager to trust Your Word, and faithful to obey Your commands. May I abide in You and You in me, so that I may be a "man after Your own heart." This I ask in Jesus’ name, AMEN.