145 Cardio: An Available Heart

In many ways, David was the central character of the Old Testament. A truly remarkable man with the soul of a poet, the competitive drive of an elite athlete, the leadership of a statesman, the military prowess of a general, the artistry of a musician, and the looks of a movie star.

But what set him apart from all others was not his external accomplishments. It was his heart. Indeed, it all starts with the heart.

His story begins in 1 Samuel 16. Israel’s first king, Saul, had failed miserably, disobeying God repeatedly until finally, God said, “Enough.” A new king would be chosen – “a man after His own heart.” (1 Sam. 13:14)

So, the Lord sends the judge Samuel to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse. One by one, all of Jesse’s sons are paraded before Samuel. One by one, God said no. “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7)

Finally, the youngest is sent for. David. And God says, “He’s the one.”

Now if “man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart,” then obviously God saw something in David.  The question is what was it that made David’s heart so appealing to God?

• David had a heart characterized by wild abandon.

David had an unguarded passion for God in his worship and in the way he fought for a just cause.

• David had a heart characterized by deep humility.

Humility is seeing God for who He truly is and seeing myself for what I truly am and not getting confused about the two.

David had the heart of a servant – willing to serve in the shadows and trust God implicitly.

• David had a heart characterized by total submission. 

David’s attitude was: “Whatever…wherever…whenever… I’m your man.” Then the Spirit of God fell on him and the adventure began. 

God is still on the lookout for men and women after His own heart. Men and women whose hearts are available to Him.  When God looks at your heart, what does He see?

Text: 1 Samuel 16

Originally recorded on April 23, 2006, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN.