We all need to desire to have a heart after God.King David had a heart after God. God said in Acts 13:16-24 that David was a man after His own heart who would do His will.

David’s name was mentioned about 800 times in the Old Testament and 60 times in the New Testament. He was a warrior, a priest, and a king.

What kind of character did David have?
 #1 David was a servant

When he was a child, he took care of the sheep. God trained him when he was young with sheep.

David divided the sheep into groups: sick, young, and healthy. He gave the sick ones clean, pure water and very tender grass. He allowed the healthy ones to eat the wild, tough grasses. He fed the young ones normal grass. He took care of them according to their differing needs.

Many Christian people are mentally sick. Their hearts have been broken. They need a different type of treatment and nourishment and ministry. When you work with these people, you have to tend them carefully and lovingly until they are strong. You have to be sensitive to their needs and cannot be harsh with them.

You cannot feed young Christians too much or they will throw it up – reject it. You must give them what they need. When they grow and mature, they can handle stronger food.

God saw the way that David took care of the sheep and knew that he could take care of people, too. God tested David with the sheep. He knew that he would not abuse His people.

God can tell how you will take care of His ministry by the way that you take care of other things in your life.

David could have been very rough since he grew up with many older brothers. But he had a tender, servant heart. He knew people’s needs and met them where they were. He was patient and caring.

King David started as a servant. When God saw that, He knew that He could trust him with the people of Israel.

When David became a young man, he served King Saul. When King Saul was ill, David played his harp for him and he recovered. (1 Samuel 16:14-23)

David was ready to serve God at any time and in any way. When David was a child, he served the sheep. Then as a young man, he served the king. He gave all his strength and energy to take care of the king.

When David became the king of Israel, his desire was to build a temple for God. His heart was to serve God. He wanted to make God look glorious and powerful.

Many Christians make God look weak and powerful because we act like He doesn’t have anything. We act like He can’t take care of us. Don’t make God look powerless and hopeless in your life.

King David prepared gold to build the Temple. He saved and put away materials for the Temple. (1 Chronicles 29:3-5)

When God sees you give your strength and energy to whatever you are working on, He will promote you and give you more. You must be faithful with whatever you have right now.

God bless you,
Pastor Sun Hui East

Read other posts in the “Heart After God” Series:
A Heart After God is a Servant Heart
A Heart After God is a Repentant Heart
A Heart After God is a Heart of Praise