What kind of person is God looking for; is He looking for anybody at all, or someone special, and if so what kind of person?
"But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people because you have not kept the Lord's command." 1 Samuel 13:14 NIV.
These are the words of the prophet Samuel to King Saul when Saul presumed to take on the role of priest and offer the sacrifice. God reveals His mind; He seeks a man "after his own heart."
The word, "after" suggests one who is following, who is in step, and is pursuing after God.
BECAUSE
The word, because, leads us to God's reason. "Because you have not kept the Lord's command." Obedience trumps zeal. God wants your obedience, He wants a person who learns His commands and follows them. You would think God wanted someone who builds monuments, or cathedrals or set up some world-changing charity. You would think God wants the smartest or most educated, or most talented that could sway people with elegant speech. King Saul was many of these things: handsome, tall, a leader in battle, and charismatic; but they did not qualify him to fulfill God's greater purpose.
HEART
"The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart." How can we be after the heart of God?
* First, we must seek the Lord; seek Him in Bible reading, prayer, meditation, and the fellowship of others who are also seeking Him.
* We must obey the light we are given, when aware of evil in our lives we must turn and repent, when aware of a deed we should perform then we should act. (Remember God will never contradict His Word).
* We should pray and ask the Lord to make us a man or woman after His own heart; it is a prayer God will gladly grant.
* We must be willing to serve him wherever the calling. God is looking for one who is willing to be a leader not of multitudes but things like a first grade Sunday School Class or of the Ushers Committee or to be the Van Driver of a Meals on Wheels Ministry. Not everyone can be generals some must be sergeants and privates, but even a private can be a hero and receive the medal of honor.
SEARCHING
God is searching, His eyes and heart rove the earth looking for a man or woman after "his own heart" for this generation. He is looking for someone who is willing to obey and to patiently wait for His command. Are you the one who is following, who is in step, and who is pursuing God? Indeed, if ever there was a time for the man or woman after God's own heart it is this time.
To be a man after God's own heart you must know him. If you feel you do not have a personal relationship with the Lord then click here to see my post about the Gospel.
"But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people because you have not kept the Lord's command." 1 Samuel 13:14 NIV.
These are the words of the prophet Samuel to King Saul when Saul presumed to take on the role of priest and offer the sacrifice. God reveals His mind; He seeks a man "after his own heart."
The word, "after" suggests one who is following, who is in step, and is pursuing after God.
BECAUSE
The word, because, leads us to God's reason. "Because you have not kept the Lord's command." Obedience trumps zeal. God wants your obedience, He wants a person who learns His commands and follows them. You would think God wanted someone who builds monuments, or cathedrals or set up some world-changing charity. You would think God wants the smartest or most educated, or most talented that could sway people with elegant speech. King Saul was many of these things: handsome, tall, a leader in battle, and charismatic; but they did not qualify him to fulfill God's greater purpose.
HEART
"The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart." How can we be after the heart of God?
* First, we must seek the Lord; seek Him in Bible reading, prayer, meditation, and the fellowship of others who are also seeking Him.
* We must obey the light we are given, when aware of evil in our lives we must turn and repent, when aware of a deed we should perform then we should act. (Remember God will never contradict His Word).
* We should pray and ask the Lord to make us a man or woman after His own heart; it is a prayer God will gladly grant.
* We must be willing to serve him wherever the calling. God is looking for one who is willing to be a leader not of multitudes but things like a first grade Sunday School Class or of the Ushers Committee or to be the Van Driver of a Meals on Wheels Ministry. Not everyone can be generals some must be sergeants and privates, but even a private can be a hero and receive the medal of honor.
SEARCHING
God is searching, His eyes and heart rove the earth looking for a man or woman after "his own heart" for this generation. He is looking for someone who is willing to obey and to patiently wait for His command. Are you the one who is following, who is in step, and who is pursuing God? Indeed, if ever there was a time for the man or woman after God's own heart it is this time.
To be a man after God's own heart you must know him. If you feel you do not have a personal relationship with the Lord then click here to see my post about the Gospel.
