“HOW TO BE CLOSER TO GOD”
By Donal Parker
King David was one of the greatest men that ever lived. David climbed the ladder of success from a shepherd boy to the King of Israel. As a teenager, he killed Goliath; as a young man he was a winning commanding officer and then at the high point of his career, he became King of Israel. David had a great deal of success and accomplishments in his life. In addition, he wrote many of the Psalms.
Still, his success did not impress God, but his heart did. In Acts 13:22 God testified that David was, “A man after my [His] own heart.” Don’t you want to be a person after God’s own heart? I do! Let’s follow the example of David. He had a repentant heart and he trusted God completely.
David was a king and a great leader, but David was also a betrayer, an adulterer and a murderer. The Bible records David’s success, but also his struggles and his sins. David didn’t guard his heart and it got him into trouble. He committed adultery with Bathsheba. He got her pregnant and then to cover it up, had her husband murdered.
God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David about his sin, and after listening to Nathan, David said in 2 Samuel 12:13, “I have sinned against the Lord.” David didn’t try to deny it. He didn’t try to blame Bathsheba. He knew he had sinned and he confessed his sin to God.
David prayed: “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night” (Psalm 51:1-3). You don’t have to be perfect to have a heart after God, but you must have a repentant heart. Confess your sin daily. A repentant heart draws you closer to God. David also said in verse 17 of Psalm 51, “The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.”
David had more than his fair share of stress, but David trusted God. He was just a child when he killed Goliath. He hid in caves because King Saul was trying to kill him. He fought battle after battle. Through it all, David trusted God. David said this in Psalm 31:14-15 “I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, ‘You are my God!’ My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly”
In Psalm 18:1-2 David said, “I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.”
Examine your own heart. Are you a person after God’s own heart?” God is looking for qualities that remind Him of His Son, Jesus Christ. These qualities are developed in us just as they were in the life of David. David was not perfect but he knew he served a perfect God who was worthy of his trust and by God’s grace and
David’s truly repented heart; his sins were forgiven. Do you desire to be closer to God? The first decision you need to make is to repent of your sins and put your trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. To know more about God’s love for you and how you can have a closer relationship with Him join us Sunday morning’s at 11 a.m., at First Baptist Church; a place to belong.
