DEVELOPING A HEART AFTER GOD'S

This was a day of celebration in Israel and specifically in Jerusalem - for the ark of God was finally brought back home, not in its real home, the tabernacle of God and later to go into the temple which Solomon would build, but todays it was finally returned from losing it to the Philistines in the last battle of Saul and then from the house of ____

David had made a tent for it in Jerusalem and decided to have a Worship Celebration. He chose to honor God in all things - especially in a momentous occasion. He offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings to God and blessed the people in the name of God as their leader. He even gave to everyone in the land a meal on this great day.

There were musicians there, singers there and trumpet section that was to play continually before God.

In the midst of it, whether at the beginning of the festivities or towards the end, David gives a song or Psalm to thank the Lord and he gave it to Asaph and his brethren to use and play as part of the worship before the ark likely daily.

In it, is amazing worship of God and care for the things of God. I believe that they are things that showed his heart for God.

He had a heart for God.

1 Samuel 13:14 KJV

But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

Acts 13:22b (KJV)

...I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

Realize that 1 Chronicles 16 is not only here, but these are taken from other Psalm that were likely written in his younger days, younger days on the run or as a young king.

1 Chronicles (King James Version) (E. The Celebration of the People over the Ark’s Arrival in Jerusalem: A Transformation of Worship—A Picture of Joyful, Exciting Worship, 16:1–43)

Verses 8–22 are nearly identical to Psalm 105:1–15

Verses 23–33 are nearly like Psalm 96

Verses 34–36 resemble Psalm 106:1, 47–48

It is not important which came first or when they were written but they show a heart after God’s own!

I believe if we can focus on these and meditate upon them, we too can see God help our heart to like David’s; to have a heart devoted to God.

WHAT IS A HEART AFTER GOD’S?

1. Seeing as He sees

1 Samuel 16:7 KJV

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

2. Being holy as He is

1 Peter 1:16 KJV

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Lev 20:7

3 .Enjoying what He enjoys

4. Abhorring that which He hates

Proverbs 6:16 KJV

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

5. Loving as He loves

Here are some things in this Psalm that the Lord pointed out to me this week in my devotions that can help us to have the right focus and the right heart toward Him.

I. Thank Him v.8

Psalm 69:30 KJV

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

II. Proclaim Him

v.8, and v.24

III. Praise Him

vv.9, 23

A. Singing

Singing may not be your thing - but God deserves your corporate praise and church and singing to him personally in our private devotional time.

Psalm 34:1 KJV

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

B. Speaking

Praise and thanksgiving are closely related, but whatever we do, it should involved the next thing:

Hebrews 13:15 KJV

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

IV. Glory in Him v.10

He is our glory, He is who we are to glory in - He is all we have to glory about. When I live for Him and believe on Him, and seek His will - I am glorying in Him.

1 Corinthians 1:31 (KJV)

That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (2 Cor 10:17)

V. Seek Him v.11

I think one of the most sobering verses in the Bible is the following verse:

Isaiah 55:6 KJV

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Certainly we can apply this verse to salvation, but the real application is concerning

VI. Remember Him v.12

A. What He has done for you

“his marvelous works”

B. What He has done for others

“his wonders”

C. What He has taught

“the judgements out of his mouth”

That leads us to the ver next point, the fact that we need to not only remember Him but take it a step further and:

VII. Meditate on His Word vv.15-22

What are some of the things we need to meditate upon:

A. His promises vv.15-17

B. Our inheritance v.18

C. His provision vv.19-22

His provision for us is wonderful. God has been very good to each one of us. He has taken good care of us and provided many of our wants and far more than all of our needs

VIII. Witness for Him vv.23-24

Testify of his great wondrous works. God has the witness of His Word Praise the Lord, but how valuable is His Word with the testimony of a redeemed and sanctified believer. Think about this Book. It is not a dead book that has been hidden in a cave, but it is His living Word and the proof that is His living Word is because of what it has done in the lives of Believers. So therefore, testify of that that and be a witness for Him.

IX. Give to him vv.28-29

X. Awe in Him

vv.25-27, 30-36

What is it to Awe in Him?

Awe defined: It is the emotion of combining honor, fear and respect to someone of a greater office.

I think it is further defined in this passage:

A. It is part fear vv.25-27, 30

B. It is part rejoicing vv.31-33

C. It is part thanksgiving v.34

D. It is part dependence v.35

E. It is part blessing v.36

Developing a heart after God’s Heart, It is practicing and engaging our walk by:

Thanking Him

Proclaiming Him

Praising Him

Glorying in Him

Seeking Him

Remembering Him

Meditating on Him and His Word

Witnessing for Him

Giving to Him

Awe in Him

Let me say this and we are done - none of this matters unless we make a way to do it now, implement that which we need to add it to our lives.

Philippians 2:13 KJV

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

God wants to do these things, but you have to make the effort and put the plan together to accomplish it.

What do we need to do; what do we need repent of; what do we need to change? Make a way for God to do it in your life to have a heart after his.

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