A Man After God's Own Heart?

11/3/2006

“A man after God’s own heart”? “A woman after God’s own heart”?  “A young man” or “young lady” after God’s own heart?

I’m not yet. As I thought about what that would mean last night and this morning, I am definitely not, yet. 

Perhaps you are. But maybe... you’re not yet, either?

What would it look like, for me, today, to be like that shepherd boy who risked his life killing bears and lions that threatened the Lambs that his Father had put into his care? Remember the man that FATHER said was “a man after His own heart” was like that. He risked his life to kill a lion or bear or anything that would threaten the Lambs his Father had entrusted to him. Would I do that? Would you? 

There will be no courage or passion to defend Father’s honor when today’s Goliath (or today’s Korah, Cain, Balaam, Diotrephes, Alexander, Reuben—Jude 11-25) starts running his mouth—if we aren’t first there in the stillness of the morning dew loving His Flock and listening for twigs breaking underfoot, as the thief or the lion approach Father’s lambs under cloak of darkness and shadow, and not through the Door. (John 10)

What would it look like, TODAY, in my life, to be a worshipper like that man David, whom God called, “a man after My heart”? Will I “dance like David danced”—unashamedly displaying my love for Father, in spite of what ANYONE thinks? I’m not speaking of “worshipping” during some religious ceremony—but all day, anytime, anywhere, declaring Father’s praises before any and all—because it isn’t my “religion” or “culture”—it is REAL in my HEART as it was David’s! 

What a fabulous amount of TIME it must have taken for David to have written all of those songs to His Father that we now call “Psalms”. And what sensitivity there was in his heart to NOTICE all of those things about His Father that David wrote down for us to share as we look at Father with him. Daddy still wants WORSHIPPERS, not just those who theoretically “know stuff” or “do stuff,” or even just “obey stuff.” (John 4)

It must have taken a lot of TIME and QUIET for David to be that man that Father held up to us as what He was looking for in a man or woman, or boy or girl. But then, David didn’t spend hours and hours playing around on the internet or with computer games, and David didn’t foul his heart and mind with “pictures” of lewdness and worldliness from movies and filth in magazines and television. David didn’t fill up his mind or his limited passion with nonsense. Because he kept his way PURE, he had the TIME and the HEART for pursuing his Father, and the focus necessary for risking his very life for the Lambs. In our world, we have ten thousand excuses, diversions, and temptations to steal our hearts and minds, and dilute our passion and focus, don’t we? What will we do about what our hearts and minds are taken by? That is the real question.

Passion, courage, and love don’t come for free. They are BORN in CHOICES to be on our knees in the morning dew, and to risk to love what He loves—even if it costs us everything, and to worship throughout the day in the good things and the hard things. Will we stay Connected to the Head in all things, or drift in and out of “consciousness of God” as Peter put it. Whether we are a man or woman after God’s own heart, or not, is set up by our CHOICES. What will we do to spend our evenings and “weekends” on HIM and what’s HIS and His CHILDREN, His Lambs, whether it is received or fulfilling or appreciated, or not? Will we press on, for HIM, or will we lapse, rather, into ourselves, and entertainment, and upgrades—the selfishness of a common man, a hollow man?

Can we make such courageous choices, day by day, evening by evening, to lay aside “the sin that so easily besets” the lives of the hollow man, in order to draw nearer to our Maker and Redeemer, and to melt more deeply into Him and His will and His Plan for these days? You and I, too, can “serve the purpose of God in our generation” (Acts 13:36) and “do everything God desires” (Acts 13:22) as that other “man after His own heart” did. : ) 

“7000” will choose YHWH instead of being diluted and deluded by the god of this age, while still maintaining a form of cultural religion. “7000” will NOT bow their knee to convenience or pleasure or entertainment or wealth or advancement or self-life—but will keep their hearts a beautiful Garden for Him. These will have the focus to risk their lives for the Lambs when the lion and the bear and the Goliaths stalk God’s Flock. And these will worship in a fresh New Song day after day, rain or shine. : )

“Oh, I want to be in that number!”—of those who are not just as Saved as Jesus, but also are FRAGRANT and FRUITFUL in Jesus, to fully and faithfully “serve the Purposes of God in our generation”—in worship, and against the lion and the bear of our generation! 

(Job 29, John 15, 1Cor.3, Heb10, Eph.5:27, Rev.19:7, 21:2)

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?

By guarding it according to your word.

10 With my whole heart I seek you;

let me not wander from your commandments!

11 I have stored up your word in my heart,

that I might not sin against you.

12 Blessed are you, O Lord;

teach me your statutes!

13 With my lips I declare

all the rules of your mouth.

14 In the way of your testimonies I delight

as much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate on your precepts

and fix my eyes on your ways.

16 I will delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word.

Gimel

17 Deal bountifully with your servant,

that I may live and keep your word.

18 Open my eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of your law.

19 I am a sojourner on the earth;

hide not your commandments from me!

20 My soul is consumed with longing

for your rules at all times.

21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,

who wander from your commandments.

22 Take away from me scorn and contempt,

for I have kept your testimonies.

23 Even though princes sit plotting against me,

your servant will meditate on your statutes.

24 Your testimonies are my delight;

they are my counselors.

Daleth

25 My soul clings to the dust;

give me life according to your word!

26 When I told of my ways, you answered me;

teach me your statutes!

27 Make me understand the way of your precepts,

and I will meditate on your wondrous works.

28 My soul melts away for sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word!

29 Put false ways far from me

and graciously teach me your law!

30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;

I set your rules before me.

31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;

let me not be put to shame!

32 I will run in the way of your commandments

when you enlarge my heart! 

He

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;

and I will keep it to the end. 

34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law

and observe it with my whole heart.

35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,

for I delight in it.

36 Incline my heart to your testimonies,

and not to selfish gain!

37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;

and give me life in your ways.

38 Confirm to your servant your promise,

that you may be feared.

39 Turn away the reproach that I dread,

for your rules are good.

40 Behold, I long for your precepts;

in your righteousness give me life!

Waw

41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,

your salvation according to your promise;

42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,

for I trust in your word.

43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

for my hope is in your rules.

44 I will keep your law continually,

forever and ever,

45 and I shall walk in a wide place,

for I have sought your precepts.

46 I will also speak of your testimonies before kings

and shall not be put to shame,

47 for I find my delight in your commandments,

which I love.

48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,

and I will meditate on your statutes.

Zayin

49 Remember your word to your servant,

in which you have made me hope.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction,

that your promise gives me life.

51 The insolent utterly deride me,

but I do not turn away from your law.

52 When I think of your rules from of old,

I take comfort, O Lord.

53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,

who forsake your law.

54 Your statutes have been my songs

in the house of my sojourning.

55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord,

and keep your law.

56 This blessing has fallen to me,

that I have kept your precepts.

Heth

57 The Lord is my portion;

I promise to keep your words.

58 I entreat your favor with all my heart;

be gracious to me according to your promise.

59 When I think on my ways,

I turn my feet to your testimonies;

60 I hasten and do not delay

to keep your commandments.

61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,

I do not forget your law.

62 At midnight I rise to praise you,

because of your righteous rules.

63 I am a companion of all who fear you,

of those who keep your precepts.

64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;

teach me your statutes!

Teth

65 You have dealt well with your servant,

O Lord, according to your word.

66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,

for I believe in your commandments.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,

but now I keep your word.

68 You are good and do good;

teach me your statutes.

69 The insolent smear me with lies,

but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;

70 their heart is unfeeling like fat,

but I delight in your law.

71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,

that I might learn your statutes.

72 The law of your mouth is better to me

than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yodh

73 Your hands have made and fashioned me;

give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,

because I have hoped in your word.

75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,

and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

76 Let your steadfast love comfort me

according to your promise to your servant.

77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;

for your law is my delight.

78 Let the insolent be put to shame,

because they have wronged me with falsehood;

as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.

79 Let those who fear you turn to me,

that they may know your testimonies.

80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes,

that I may not be put to shame!

Kaph

81 My soul longs for your salvation;

I hope in your word.

82 My eyes long for your promise;

I ask, “When will you comfort me?”

83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,

yet I have not forgotten your statutes.

84 How long must your servant endure? 

When will you judge those who persecute me?

85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;

they do not live according to your law.

86 All your commandments are sure;

they persecute me with falsehood; help me!

87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,

but I have not forsaken your precepts.

88 In your steadfast love give me life,

that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Lamedh

89 Forever, O Lord, your word

is firmly fixed in the heavens.

90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

you have established the earth, and it stands fast.

91 By your appointment they stand this day,

for all things are your servants.

92 If your law had not been my delight,

I would have perished in my affliction.

93 I will never forget your precepts,

for by them you have given me life.

94 I am yours; save me,

for I have sought your precepts.

95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,

but I consider your testimonies.

96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,

but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Mem

97 Oh how I love your law!

It is my meditation all the day.

98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,

for it is ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,

for your testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the aged, 

for I keep your precepts.

101 I hold back my feet from every evil way,

in order to keep your word.

102 I do not turn aside from your rules,

for you have taught me.

103 How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through your precepts I get understanding;

therefore I hate every false way.

Nun

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,

to keep your righteous rules.

107 I am severely afflicted;

give me life, O Lord, according to your word!

108 Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,

and teach me your rules.

109 I hold my life in my hand continually,

but I do not forget your law.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,

but I do not stray from your precepts.

111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever,

for they are the joy of my heart.

112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes

forever, to the end. 

Samekh

113 I hate the double-minded,

but I love your law.

114 You are my hiding place and my shield;

I hope in your word.

115 Depart from me, you evildoers,

that I may keep the commandments of my God.

116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,

and let me not be put to shame in my hope!

117 Hold me up, that I may be safe

and have regard for your statutes continually!

118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,

for their cunning is in vain.

119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,

therefore I love your testimonies.

120 My flesh trembles for fear of you,

and I am afraid of your judgments.

Ayin

121 I have done what is just and right;

do not leave me to my oppressors.

122 Give your servant a pledge of good;

let not the insolent oppress me.

123 My eyes long for your salvation

and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.

124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,

and teach me your statutes.

125 I am your servant; give me understanding,

that I may know your testimonies!

126 It is time for the Lord to act,

for your law has been broken.

127 Therefore I love your commandments

above gold, above fine gold.

128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;

I hate every false way.

Pe

129 Your testimonies are wonderful;

therefore my soul keeps them.

130 The unfolding of your words gives light;

it imparts understanding to the simple.

131 I open my mouth and pant,

because I long for your commandments.

132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,

as is your way with those who love your name.

133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise,

and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

134 Redeem me from man’s oppression,

that I may keep your precepts.

135 Make your face shine upon your servant,

and teach me your statutes.

136 My eyes shed streams of tears,

because people do not keep your law.

Tsadhe

137 Righteous are you, O Lord,

and right are your rules.

138 You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness

and in all faithfulness.

139 My zeal consumes me,

because my foes forget your words.

140 Your promise is well tried,

and your servant loves it.

141 I am small and despised,

yet I do not forget your precepts.

142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,

and your law is true.

143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,

but your commandments are my delight.

144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;

give me understanding that I may live.

Qoph

145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!

I will keep your statutes.

146 I call to you; save me,

that I may observe your testimonies.

147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;

I hope in your words.

148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,

that I may meditate on your promise.

149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;

O Lord, according to your justice give me life.

150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;

they are far from your law.

151 But you are near, O Lord,

and all your commandments are true.

152 Long have I known from your testimonies

that you have founded them forever.