“But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.…after David had done the will of God in his own generation, he died and was buried with his ancestors…” Acts 13:22, 36 NLT
“The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT
David’s legacy was his heart for God
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him…” 2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV
4 Tests That Reveal A Heart After God’s:
- How do I respond when I sin?
- David responded to sin with a repentant heart
“Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge…Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me…The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” Psalm 51:4,10, 17 NIV
How quick am I to repent when I sin?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
2. How do I respond to stress & struggles?
- David responded to stress & struggles with a trusting heart.
“In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” Psalm 118:5-6 NLT
“My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” Psalm 73:26 NLT
“I believed in you, so I said, “I am deeply troubled, Lord.” Psalm 116:10 NLT
How easily do I get discouraged when life tests me?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
3. How do I respond when I am asked to sacrifice?
- David responded to sacrifice with a servant’s heart
“I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 2 Samuel 24:24 NIV
“So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord.” 2 Samuel 23:16 NIV
How do I respond when I am treated like a servant?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
4. How do I respond to success?
- David respond to success with a humble heart.
“Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1 NIV
“So David got away and escaped to the Cave of Adullam. When his brothers and others associated with his family heard where he was, they came down and joined him. Not only that, but all who were down on their luck came around—losers and vagrants and misfits of all sorts. David became their leader.” 1 Samuel 22:1-2 MSG (See 2 Samuel 23:8-39)