David Was a Terrible Sinner. So Why Would We Want a Heart Like His?

The Apostle Paul called David “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22). When you consider that King David committed adultery and murder, that’s a surprising statement, isn’t it? It seems impossible that such a flagrant sinner could be a man who loved and pursued God, yet there it is. Wasn’t this the shepherd boy who wrote poetry and songs rhapsodizing about how much he loved the Lord? Didn’t he go on and on about loving God’s Word? How could the hero who killed Goliath fall so far and sin so much? It hardly makes sense, but when I really think about it, I realize that David was not only defined by his mistakes; he was very much defined by what happened after he failed.

David Had a Heart Like His

Start with a boy, who, tending sheep,
Beneath the stars, too in love to sleep,
Looks up at the heavens’ glistening art,
And comprehends the Creator’s heart.

Least regarded, chosen King–
Transformed by a giant, a rock, a sling!
A man who gazed at God above,
And understood. And fell in love.

Powerful warrior, loyal friend,
Head of the kingdom without end;
Poet, prophet, singer: Dance,
Caught in the grip of God’s romance!

Love the Lord and love His word!
Let your songs and praise be heard,
Reaching countless human ears,
Timeless for a thousand years!

But O! That sword can cut two ways:
For those same lips that sang God’s praise
Will kiss their way into a fall,
A story shown and know to all…

Scheming, lying, murderous lust;
Broken hearts and broken trust,
Written down for all to see,
Captured for eternity.

Deep your capacity to transgress!
But deeper, a longing to confess:
To bring your contrite, broken heart
Back to the Maker’s matchless art.

Honest now, with no pretense,
No vain attempt at self-defense,
Broken as a consequence…
Confessing, teaching us that THIS
Is how to have a heart like His.

When he was asked about it, Jesus said this about the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37): “And Jesus said to him, you shalt love the Lord your god with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind…” That commandment was written for people who fail, people like us. In spite of all the despicable things he did, and in spite of how badly he let God down, David loved God honestly and passionately. He’s not “a man after God’s own heart” because of the way he killed Goliath, or because of his valor in battle. It is not his love songs to God that make him special, as beautiful as they are. We should pay attention to the way he acted when he failed utterly. If you haven’t been there, you will be. Consider David, and then consider yourself. Whose heart are YOU after?