I want to be known as a man after God’s own heart. It’s the highest goal of my life. I also want to be known as the man who “will do everything [God wants] him to do” or as another translation puts it, a man “who will do all my will.”
While that is understandably noble of me, my interpretation of how that looks in reality and how it is actualized in scripture oftentimes gets off track. Let me explain.
Whenever I read the scriptures I am inspired to move from where I am to where I know God wants me to be. The problem is that, like a little kid eager to put together his new model kit, I too often assume the process (the instructions) of how I am to reach my goal (making the model car) and passionately try to work towards the finished product of my desire.
My problem is that I too often assume the HOW before completely understanding the WHY.
I don’t know about you, but oftentimes I confuse the phrase “who did everything God wanted him to do” with “EVERYTHING he did was what God wanted him to do.” And what happens when I find that my life choices are inconsistent with what God’s Word defines as Godly behaviors? I start to find myself discouraged and begin to feel there is no hope for me being a man after God’s own heart.
But fortunately, God’s Word is there to put me in my place.
When I read Acts 13:22 – understanding the context of David’s life – I realize that even despite David’s sins and imperfections, God had a way of accomplishing all his will through David. Not only that, David was still considered a man after God’s own heart.
But why?
Because “everything” doesn’t mean “EVERYTHING” when our perspectives are not right.
Today I am encouraged that the HOW (works) is not as important as the WHY (love for God).
(Don’t misunderstand me…I fully believe and affirm the theological implications of James 2)
When you find a continuous, committed, and passionate love for God – even when you’re caught with your hand in the cookie jar – you can be remembered as a person after God’s own heart and you will be positioned so all of God’s will is accomplished through you.
Psalm 103:8-18
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children-
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.