A MAN AFTER GOD’S HEART
David was called by God “a man after God’s own heart”. I like to read about David because he was a person who knew and understood God. Many of the things David writes about had not yet come to pass when David wrote them. He was ahead of his times because He actually knew God and was not just writing from his own feelings and problems. Yes, he did write some of those feelings and problems in the Psalms, but his conclusion was always that God was in control and that God was the only hope he had.
Turn with me to Psalm 24 and notice how David begins this Psalm – by declaring what we should all know and declare daily “The EARTH is the Lord’s”. We often begin by thinking that this is OURS, or that belongs to US, that we are ARE OWN SELVES and can do what we please. Then, we get into trouble and say, ‘why is this happening to me?” Not only the earth, but David goes onto say that so is the WORLD and the ones who dwell in it (that’s us!). When will we come to the realization the God owns everything. We are only caretakers of a small part of this world and only for a little while. God owns it forever.
During these past few months many of us have had a lot of difficulty for various reasons. But is it to the OWNER of this world that we are turning to? I have listened to report after report and find no hope nor reason to believe that something better has been found. No mention of the OWNER, all is dependant upon human effort and abilities. The OWNER just wants us to look to Him for our peace, our relief from the madness that has come upon us. He is the only One Who can solve this.
It seems like everything is a mess now-a-days. Example: I received an e-mail telling me my health insurance was about to expire. I just laughed. It was not true and I knew it. Two weeks later, I received an e-mail apologizing for the first e-mail – it was a mistake. I knew it was. Another example: I went to my online banking to transfer money from one account to another. It had always been easy before. Nope, they had to be sure it was me so would send me a code on my phone. OK. Except, the phone number they sent it to was not my phone number. So, I received no code. When went physically into the bank, they had no explanation of why the wrong phone number was used.
Well, I could go on and on about this sort of thing that is constantly occurring in our lives today. But, why? Are we going to the OWNER to ask Him to straighten this out? First, we have to know the OWNER. Do you know Him? Personally? If you don’t, I encourage you to open His Word, invite Him into your life and get to know Him personally. He is our only hope, our only help, and the only source of peace in our times of trouble.
In 24:3-6 David gives us the qualifications for entering into God’s Presence. Remember that David wrote many centuries before Jesus came to live and die, and the Holy Spirit came so that ALL who come to the Lord will be welcome. God loves you, get to know Him personally!
Rev. Joyce Kaplan, M.Div. Retired United of Church of Christ pastor.
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