If were to ask the question, “Except for Jesus, which man from the Bible would you most want to be like.” There would be several an-swers, for several unique reasons. However, most answers would probably come down to two men. Abraham would be one of the first ones mentioned.. He was the father of our faith. He was a “covenant partner” with God. He was known as a “friend” of God. The other man, would be King David. If for no other reason than, “he was a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). Today, I want to talk about David and find out what it takes to be a man after God’s own heart.
There are a lot of concepts of what being a “man after God’s own heart” means. They look at the word “after” to mean “to pursue” and that David was always “going after” the heart of God. That is good, however, that is not what this phrase means. It means to duplicate something. To create something “after” (in the same light as) something or someone else. He was a man who duplicated the heart of Father God. As a father, I think that the greatest thing that I could ever do is to duplicate Father God. If I can be a father, like God is a father…then I think I will be a success as a father. What did David do to become a man after God’s own heart? If we can find that.. then we can achieve it too.
You may say, “Hold it, Pastor Thad, David made mistakes…God has not!” You are absolutely right. But that just shows that God isn’t looking for people who have NEVER made a mistake.As all of us fathers know, we’re not perfect. However, He is looking for people who are striving to achieve God likeness and to be a man who is a duplicate of Father God, himself. It takes some learning and education, but it is possible…David showed us that.
Let’s look at six things from David’s life that I believe will make you a man after God’s own heart.
1.) David was covenant minded.
1 Samuel 18:1 – “And it cameto pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” David knew the power of covenant relationships. He found a man who had the same vision as he had and became a covenant partner with him. As a matter of fact, even when Jonathan “went to the palace” and left David to fend for himself, David continued to love Jonathan as his own soul. In the beginning of 2 Samuel, we find that after Jonathan’s death David searched for someone who was related to Jonathan that he could carry on the covenant with. We know that God is a covenant God. In the Old Testament we find Him making covenant after covenant after covenant with His people. In the New Testament we find Him making a new and a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6) through the blood of His only begotten son, Jesus. A covenant means that you are eternally joined together with someone else in love! A man who is after the heart of God is looking to be a man of covenant relationship and covenant love. That is why God tells the husband (a covenant position with his wife) in Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” Husbands, love your wives the same way that God loves. We are suppose to not just have a worldly “love” with them, but a covenant love. An eternal covenant love! Nothing can separate us (see Romans 8:35).
You may say, “Pastor Thad, don’t forget about that submitting part!” I declare, “Stop it!” That is not for a man to read! That is written to the woman! If men would focus on what they were suppose to do, instead of what their wife may or may not be doing, perhaps they would see more of the submitting manifesting in their marriage. Men are commanded to be the bond of the covenant relationship, period! Another scripture in this marriage covenant that men like to misuse is found in 1 Corinthians 7:4, “The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.” They read it and declare, “I have power over my wife’s body!” Hey dude, read the whole thing! She has power over your body! Pardon how this may sound, but while the man may be thinking of the marriage bed, the lady is probably thinking about the dishes, groceries, and a clean living room. Your body is hers! Let me give you lesson about how covenant talks. If a covenant partner says, “I have some stuff to get done today”; because of 1 Corinthians 7:4 it actually should be translated, “we have some stuff go get done today.”
Your body is her body! One more area of covenant that we need to keep in mind and that is keeping your word. If you say it, you’ll do it! My earthly father taught me a long time ago that a man is only as good as his word. Beloved, if you can’t be trusted.…..you’re not worth much and you will never be a man after God’s own heart.
2.) David was a teacher to his son.
The greatest occupation of any father is to be a teacher to his children. We see that David taught many things to his son Solomon. Though God blessed Solomon with great supernatural wisdom, a lot of that wisdom came from the education from his father. The Bible tells us again and again that it is a father’s job to correct and teach his children. Most father’s think the only way to correct your children is to spank them. Now, while that is okay (not beating, but spanking), let’s rethink some Biblical terms. Proverbs 22:15 – 6 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” Proverbs 23:13 – 6 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.” Proverbs 29:15 – 6The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” Yes, that word “rod” could mean a stick to spank with, but it is also defined as a shepherds stick (Psalm 23:4). The shepherd’s rod was a correcting rod, however, it is a symbol of the Word of God. God teaches us with the Word, not with pain. That should be a priority with dads, too. Educate your children with the Word of God, not just with a paddle. Many times with both! Also note, the best way to teach a child is through actions. They’ll do what they see a long time before they do what they hear. Live an example for your children.
3.) David provided for his son.
The greatest giver to Solomon’s ministry was his dad (see 1 Chronicles 29). He gave approximately 20 billion dollars to the building of the temple. He provided for his son. 1 Timothy 5:8 says, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” You need to make sure that you are busy giving good gifts to your children (Matthew 7:11) and blessing them as much as you can. That is the heart of Father God.
4.) David was a giver.
Referring back to 1 Chronicles 29, David was obviously a giver. John 3:16 tells us the same thing about God the Father. If we are going to have a duplicate heart of God, then we need to be givers too. As I said earlier, your children will do what they see a long time before they do what they hear. You can tell them that they need to tithe and tell them that they need to sow seed, however, if they don’t see you do it they’ll never do it! Solomon learned to give from watching his father. If you look at the first several chapters of 2 Chronicles, you will see that Solomon learned to give and therefore lived a successful life. His giving was the reason God told him that He would give Solomon anything that he asked. Be a giver and God has the same promise for you (Luke 6:38; John 15:16; John 16:23).
5.) David liked to have fun!
2 Samuel 6:14 tells us that, “David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.” He enjoyed his life! Man of God, enjoy your life! Jesus had more joy than anyone Hebrews 1:9). You may say, “Yes, I can go do this, or that by myself and have fun.” I say to you, learn to have fun with your covenant partner and your children. Teach them to have fun God’s way! Not boring, old man, fun! But laughing at the right jokes, playing the right kind of pranks, etc. Laugh with your family, play with them and give them memories for tomorrow!
6.) David was a victor!
The one thing that we know about David is that when he was in relationship with God, he never lost! He was victorious in everything that he put his hand to! Beloved, that is God’s plan for you too! Romans 8:37 – ” in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 – Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” David expected it (see 1 Samuel 17) and walked in it, constantly. That is why he was so much like his Father God. He didn’t know what it was like to lose (when God was on his side), neither should you. Live in victory for your covenant partner and your children’s sake. A man who is like God. David succeeded at it, how are you doing? Stick with the Word, live it, and talk it (repent when you make a mistake) and you will find yourself with the same thing said about you as was said about David, insert your name here), is a man after the heart of God.”
