SUSHI: An issue of the heart – Part 2

Have you ever considered why God said from the book of Acts 13:22b? “God testified concerning him, ‘I have found David’ son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” So why was this statement made in reference to David? The verse helps us answer this question; because ‘he will do everything I want him to do.’ This statement was not attributed to David because of his good looks; David was cool and fine, and God said from 1 Samuel 16:7b, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord LOOKS at the HEART.” Question then is, what did God see in David’s heart? I believe God saw in David’s heart faithfulness, integrity, steadfastness, humility and a genuine zeal and a passion to seek after God. Remember in the story, David’s father sent him to give food to his brothers at the battle field; David showed faithfulness to instruction, he showed respect to his father, he also showed humility, leaving the sheep in the hands of a keeper, further showing David’s loyalty. I believe David’s heart was wired, fixed, tuned-in, knitted with the heart of God.

Pause for a minute, I am imagining what some of us might be saying; ‘is it not this David who did so and so; yes, you are right, it is this same David, BUT if God’s word, and since God’s word is authority,’ then we are safe to agree with God’s opinion “God looks at the heart,” mine and your opinion should be submitted under the leadership of God’s word, and we should accept it as law. You can ask God questions, but also understand God’s standard of measure is not like the way we measure from our humanistic and intellectual minds.  I am in no way endorsing the wrong David did; when the Lord has forgiven me much? What we can do is to embrace the text with gracious hearts, because much more greater grace has been extended to us, and to “whom much is given, much more is expected.” We all have been given much, hence the scripture says “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus,” so before we crucify King David; match the pause button.

Compare and contrast these two people, Saul and David, the major differentiator was ones heart towards the Lord. David’s heart was always searching and wanting to do right in the sight of God, but Saul was never able to search his heart; his heart was self-focused and prideful, and that did not allow Saul to examine his heart correctly before God. David was more interested in his heart relationship with God; God’s approval of him was more important, than influence, power or fame. This is amazing, because here I see God’s standard of measure for leadership, in any sphere of engagement, be it in the Church or in the market place. Dear Lord, we ask you for help to become the leaders you have ordained us to be in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Scripture says in Luke 6:45 (NLT) “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” Let us hear what Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Look at what Solomon asked the Lord for in 1 Kings 3:9 (NIV), “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” In other words, discernment comes from the heart; and sound biblical counsel will only come from a heart that is humble, pause and calmly think. If we are ever going to ‘speak until something happens inside’ – SUSHI, then the conditions of our heart must be right. Like we read in the scripture, what is in your heart will most definitely find a way to express itself, good or bad. When your heart is good, what you say will line up with the word of God.

I love this thought, the heart of God was expressed in His love for us, such that God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die for us on the cross of Calvary. God expressed His heart in the creation story by constantly saying “let there be… and there was.”  He constantly expressed His heart, always, even right now, He is expressing His heart of love. Scripture says “the goodness of God leads a man (not gender specific) to repentance, Hallelujah, glory to God in the highest. I am extremely grateful to God, words in my English vocabulary cannot express how thankful I am to my heavenly Father for expressing His Father heart towards me, a heart of love, warmth and acceptance, because “I am accepted in the beloved.” Read Ephesians 1:6.

It is a matter of the heart, keep on reading, do not stop.

We write You read Be encouraged.