Pursuing God's Heart: 21 Days in the Life of David - Living Hope Devotionals

by Living Hope

If there is any Old Testament character that has inspired me right from my childhood Sunday School days at Fortwilliam Gospel Hall, Belfast, it was surely King David. As a young boy, the story of David and Goliath brought my vivid imagination to life and inspired me that God could use any of us, no matter how young, to accomplish His plans, and that the life of faith was both exciting and dangerous. I’m not sure, however, that I grasped what was going on in the story of David and Bathsheba. Only in later years as I too - along with every other man with a pulse - battled sexual temptation did I begin to realise the complexity and humanity of David of whom years earlier it had been said, “the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart”. (1 Samuel 13:14) But a sordid story of entitlement, adultery, deception, betrayal and finally murder thankfully didn’t end there in abject failure as David learned how willing our God is to forgive when we confess, come clean, repent and turn away from sin. Unlike Saul, who lost his crown as he wanted to cover up his sin, David pens Psalm 51 - the chart-topping song of his day - and for millennia, humanity will see his sin, humility and the restoration which is available to all who will cry out, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight”. (Psalm 51:3-4) For most people, these are probably the two most memorable stories from the life of David, however, there is so much more to explore including how he not only survived but thrived in the tough times; the heartbreak within his dysfunctional family when his son Absalom turns against him; how he became so gracious later in life evidenced in the amazing invitation to Mephibosheth rather than ending up a grumpy old man and defensive King, and much, much more. Over 21 days and chapters, we’re going to explore these and many other aspects of David’s life in our daily devotions written, not only by pastors from Living Hope, but also by others in our Four12 partnering churches and good friends leading churches in the nations. The Bible is never shy in placing before us the faults of the great heroes of the faith as will become quickly apparent in David’s life, yet in spite of those faults, he still was man after God’s heart who, even though knew failure, subsequently experienced saving and empowering grace and of whom the New Testament author Luke would record, “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep”. (Acts 13:36) As we pursue God’s heart together, let us allow God to search our hearts, as He did with David, and be those who also wholeheartedly serve God in our generation so that the Kingdom of God advances in our lives and among our families, communities and nations. Jonathan Stanfield Lead Elder, Living Hope Church, Isle of Man January 2021

50 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 25, 2021

Reviews

[Janice Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend

Absolutely loved this daily devotion. It was inspiring, practical and life giving. Definitely recommend and hope there will be follow up books.