A Heart That Obeys

Acts 13: 20-22, "Up to the time of Samuel the prophet, God provided judges to lead them. But then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul, son of Kish, out of the tribe of Benjamin. After Saul had ruled forty years, God removed him from office and put King David in his place, with this commendation: 'I've searched the land and found this David, son of Jesse. He's a man whose heart beats to my heart, a man who will do what I tell him.' "

God took away Saul's crown and stripped him of his kingship because He refused to obey God from the heart. After that, David was chosen by God to reign in Saul's place because He found pleasure in David's heart attitude. As we explore the contrasts between Saul and David, let's note the differences in their character and behavior.

1. In his heart, David was willing to obey, but Saul was satisfied with merely external acts of sacrifice.

2. David served God. Saul served himself and did things his way.

3. David was concerned with following God's will, but Saul cared solely for his own will.

4. David's heart was centered on God, and Saul's was centered on Saul.

5. Even though David didn't always obey God, he had what mattered over the long haul -- a heart after God. On the other hand, Saul's devotion to God was impulsive and sporadic.

6. Although David was well-known for his physical prowess and might as a warrior, he was humbly dependent upon God, trusting in Him and repeatedly acknowledging, "The Lord is the strength of my life" (Psalm 27:1). Saul, in contrast, was proud. He relied on his own skill, his own wisdom and judgment, and his arm of flesh.

How can we follow after David in our devotion to God?

A heart committed to doing God's will is an important ingredient when it comes to living out our love for God. What leads to a life of obedience? ...A heart reponsive to God and His ways!

Here are some proven guidelines that can help us stay on God's path:

Concentrate on doing what is right. When God looked into David's heart, He saw what He wants to see in us -- a heart that will do His will.

Cease doing what is wrong. The split second you think or do anything contrary to God's heart, stop immediately. It is this practice in quick obedience that is the key to training your heart to be responsive to God.

Confess any wrong. Because Christ covered our sins by His blood through His death, you and I are forgiven. We may not feel forgiven, but you and I only need to know that we are.

Clear up things with others. Confession makes things right with God, but if we've hurt another person, we need to clear things up with that person too.

Continue on as soon as possible. Our enemy Satan delights when our failure to obey God keeps us from serving Him. When that's the case, we need to turn to another truth from God's Word and let it lift us up, dust us off, refresh us, and set us back on His path.

Pray this Prayer

Lord Jesus, we know that obedience is a foundational stepping-stone on the path of Your will and this is the path that we want to follow as women after Your own heart. Mold us and shape our hearts so that we are willing to follow hard after You. We want to obey you, and we ask for the grace that will enable us to obey. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen.