The sound of marching soldiers echoed in the hills.
He could smell the sweat of fear in his men.
Seven days had passed. The prophecy said to wait. But after seven days it seemed pointless. Even deadly. His life – and the lives of his men – hung on his decision.
The enemy was making headway and he was unprepared.
A choice had to be made. Wait. Or do what was necessary.
He choose the latter.
It was a bold move. Like a grand gesture of faith. Only it wasn’t.
It was costly.
As he would soon discover.
How God Chooses A Man
When God rejected Saul as king (read the story in 1 Samuel 12-13), scripture says…
The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart. – 1 Samuel 13:14
This is a powerful story…a strong reminder of the priority of God.
Yes. It is Old Testament. And we are under a new covenant; one established in Christ.
Because of this…
I am chosen in Him
I have the adoption in Him
I am accepted in Him
I am redeemed in Him
I am blessed in Him
All this can be found in Ephesians chapter 1.
Written For Us
So, our new covenant is different than the old.
But…
Paul says ‘all these things (Old Testament) were written for our admonition’ (1 Corinthians 10:11 emphasis added). There are lessons we can learn.
Saul’s fall and David’s ascension speaks loud in our ears if we will only listen.
I have a few takeaways from this:
1 – God doesn’t merely look at external things; He weighs the heart.
God looks at the heart of man. Not just his actions.
Actions, behavior, and choices are important because they generally reflect what is in the heart. But it is the heart that God measures and weighs.
God sought for a man whose heart was ‘after Him.’
God is looking for men and women who have hearts aligned with His heart. That is the one criteria He holds.
2 – There was something in David that drew the favor of God.
This is a controversial statement. I was taught all my life that God’s choices have nothing to do with me (us). There is nothing in me that attracts God’s attention. They are His sovereign selections.
While I agree in part, this is a two-sided coin. A mystery I’m sure we will never understand this side of eternity.
But this verses (1 Samuel 13:14) tells a different story. In fact, let’s look at the entire verse. Samuel is addressing Saul.
“But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”
First, Saul’s actions brought him into disfavor with God. He was rebellious, presumptuous, stubborn, and independent. He didn’t have the heart of God.
So, he lost the kingdom based on his choices (which reflected his heart allegiance, or lack of it). It was the thing ‘in him’ that caused God to reject him.
Second, David (though he is not mentioned here) is the one God chose to be king.
BECAUSE he was a man after God’s heart. It was the thing ‘in him’ that caused God to favor him.
I’ve never understood how we can say Saul’s choices rejected God therefore God rejected him, and not recognize David’s choices (his heart after God) selected God, therefore God selected him.
I admit, we can’t force this comparison or contrast too far. In one sense, we can’t do anything that would make God choose us. On the flip side of the coin we have to recognize that God was looking for something in the future king. He was looking for a heart after His own heart.
The lesson I see in this is…I want to cultivate a heart after God. Because that is what pleases Him.
Whatever you do with the theological issues around this, one thing stands clear: It is the heart that God sees. It is the heart He desires.
3 – A right heart does right things.
Again, I realize this is touchy. At one point, the Apostle Paul admitted he did things he didn’t want to do, and didn’t do things he wanted to do. (Romans 7:14-25)
My goal is not to wade into the theology of this dichotomy. It is simply to note, Saul continually failed and sinned against God because his heart wasn’t in pursuit of God.
David, though he failed at times, did have a heart after God.
In both of these cases it was an issue of loving loyalty to God. A heart in pursuit of God.
This is the message of the gospel and the new covenant; hearts made right. Hearts transformed. Hearts that have God’s Word/Law written on them.
Jesus knew that until the heart was made right, actions would always fall short.
4 – A good heart is one that pursues God.
This is the measure. Twice Jesus said, ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ (Matthew 6:21; Luke 12:34)
David’s heart wanted what God wanted. It desired His favor. His heart panted after God; longing for His presence.
In other words, he loved God with his heart.
Saul did not.
He loved his agenda. His will. The applause of people.
Even when he was rejected by God, he begged the prophet Samuel to be with him in front of the people so the people would honor him.
What a contrast in character.
One Final Thought
This comes from my quiet time with God this morning. As I thought about these things, I did not feel condemned. Warned? Yes. Rebuked? Mildly. Called to something deeper and better? Absolutely.
I hope you read hope in these words, not guilt, shame or condemnation. If you need to repent, do so. Quickly. It’s worth it.
I’ll leave you with this:
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. – James 4:8
- Draw near to Him today.
- Make sure your hands (actions, behavior, attitudes) do not defile you.
- Keep your heart connected to God. Unpolluted by distractions and overwhelm.
Today I choose to seek His heart. To be a man after – in pursuit – of Him.
In the darkest moment of my life, God used a simple story in the Gospel of Mark to restore what was lost in my life. You can find the same hope in the same story of Blind Bartimaeus that I did. My book, Restoring Your Vision, lays out the path.
