February 18, 2024

I Samuel 18.14 (NIV)(
In everything he [David] did he had great success, because the Lord was with him.

Let the songs I sing bring joy to you. Let the words I say profess my love. Let the notes I choose be your favorite tune. Father let my heart be after you.*

Are you surprised to read that David had great success? Saul pursued his death relentlessly. He lived in caves. He had wife problems. He had rebellious children. His best friend died at the hands of the enemy. By whose standards could David’s life have been called a success?

By God’s standards, of course!

 

God called David “a man after my own heart.” The Bible doesn’t spare David in the telling of his story – we see him in all his sinful and flawed glory. God could see David’s outward imperfections as well, but David’s heart must have been full of his love for the Father. God looks at the heart of each of us and he knows our intentions. He knows what is important to us. He knows if we have repented or if we’re just sorry that we got caught.

 

God chose David for the job and David was successful because he turned to God for direction.* David did not march into battle alone. He did not rule a nation without God by his side. Without God by his side, David would not have been successful by anyone’s standards.

We value what men do. God values what men are.*

*Quote sources available upon request.