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Heart Message

David's Tomb

It's been said, "To plan your life, start at your funeral and work your way back." How do you want to be thought of after your death? Who will speak at your memorial, and talk about what you've added to their life?

Peter pointed to the tomb of King David in his first sermon after the resurrection to the crowds of Jerusalem. He made reference to something important David wrote by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. People are still speaking about King David. God is still using the life he lived. What was it about David that left such a mark on history? Why did God say of him, "A man after my own heart"?

Whatever David's qualities are, we in this world, do not easily recognize them. It seems that unless God touches our own heart to see as He does, we would overlook someone like David.

David's oldest brother didn't think much of him at a battle with the Philistines. David, the youngest, left a shepherd in charge of his sheep, because Jesse his father sent him to bring food to his brothers at the battle, and to see how they were doing.

When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle."

"Now what have I done?" said David. "Can't I even speak?" He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 1 Sam 17: 28-30

At an earlier time, the prophet Samuel was sent by God to the house of Jesse, and told that the he would find the next King of Israel there, and to anoint him.

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Sam 16:6,7

The prophet had a worldly criteria for judging whom God would consider equipped and worthy to be Israel's next king. But Samuel quickly learned that God judges by a different scale. In fact David's own father Jesse, did not invite David to the meeting with the prophet.

Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." Next Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen these." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are these all the children?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep." Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here." 1 Sam. 16:8-11

In David's old age, Absalom his son, betrayed him, and caused him to flee to the wilderness. But first he had to steal the hearts of Israel, and cause the entire nation to be offended at David. How did he do that? That's a topic for another time. But from the wilderness, with Absalom in control of the palace, David wrote, "LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." Selah. But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head."

What are those qualities recognized by God, but unseen by the world? Can you recognize a David, called by God but not recognized by the world, and at times, even hated? Can you recognize the anointing of God? Be careful, many cult leaders use this principle to separate people by spiritual pride into following a so-called David.

Yet the Scripture does call us to see people more as God sees them, rather than judging according to what the world sees as important. Perhaps you are a David, with a heart after God. Don't expect to be recognized easily. But be content with serving humbly, with God's calling on your life, and shepherd those around you, care about God's sheep, and pursue Him with all your heart. You'll leave many grateful people behind at your funeral, you're life will still matter after your death, and more importantly, you'll meet One who is grateful in heaven!

David said about him: (Messiah) " 'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; will fill me with joy in your presence.' "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay." Acts 2:25-31.

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