Final Character
Analysis of the Four Main People in 1 Samuel
Part 3: David
1 Samuel 16:7
“Man looks at
the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
CHOSEN YOUNG AND
REQUIRED TO WAIT
David was chosen
by God and anointed as king of Israel by Samuel when he was a young teenager.
He lives on the run in the wilderness from King Saul who is trying to kill him
and is not crowned King for fifteen years.
Have you ever
prayed and waited on the Lord for any major length of time?
Maybe you had to
wait for one year? How about five years? If you have any experience waiting on
God for a long period of time then you can imagine what David was going
through. You can read all of David’s cries to the Lord in his “How Long Oh
Lord?” verses in many of the Psalms he wrote in the Bible.
DETERMINDED AND
USING SELF-CONTROL
During the
fifteen year period of waiting David exemplified honorable character revealing
his integrity and commitment to not use his anointing in anger or wicked ways.
David was determined at a young age to stay close to the Lord and wait on God.
David clearly understood God was in control and had perfect timing. His
behavior at this point in his life demonstrated strong inner character. He will
evidently reign as King for forty years and his son Solomon will succeed him.
MISTAKES, REPENTENCE,
RESTORATION
Many times in
his life, David, made very bad and foolish decisions. His mistakes were always
exposed and were very costly. David’s willingness to take responsibility for
his foolish actions, repent and accept the punishment from the hand of God is
what set him apart. First Samuel 13:14 says David was “a man after God’s own
heart.”
Have you ever
mad a foolish choice or bad decision?
Were you willing
to take the responsibility and repent? God is a forgiving God who is Faithful
and true. Seek the Lord with truth, repentance and receive forgiveness.
TURN TO GOD AND
PATIENTLY WAIT ON HIM
God is rich in
mercy and grace and David believed and received both. David was not perfect,
but he was able to grasp something all Christians need to hold on to:
When times are
tough, no matter what, we need to turn to God and wait patiently on Him. God is
Faithful and will never fail you. David had courage in his Faithful God.
How do you look
at your problems?
When David saw
Goliath he saw:
-Opportunity not
trouble
-He remembered
his victories in the past as a shepherd and applied them to Goliath
-He recognized
the enemy was without the power of God so he had no fear.
APPROACHABLE
AND TEACHABLE
David was chosen
by God and was used by God to do many great things. During the times of failure
David was approachable and placed godly men in his inner circle of friends and
advisers. Jonathan supported and protected David. Nathan had an open door of
influence as a trusted adviser in the life of David.
All Leaders need
a Jonathan and a Nathan surrounding them for guidance and accountability.
Who are you
surrounding yourself with on a daily basis?
Are you truly
approachable and teachable?
Application:
Ask God to help
you have a heart like His and honestly admit your mistakes. Ask God for
forgiveness and as you receive mercy and grace make a commitment to change your
life forever in the name of Jesus Christ. Ask God to help you to always have a
loyal heart towards Him and God will answer you.
2 Chron.16:9
“For the eyes of
the Lord run to and fro through the whole earth, to show Himself strong on
behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”
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