Ponder: Am I a person after God’s own heart?
Scripture “Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you” (Prov. 9:8b, NKJV).
Scripture calls David a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). He certainly had his faults. Some of his blunders were colossal! We might think, “I’m glad my sins aren’t as extreme as his!” But we ought to ask, “Do I have David’s repentant heart?”
Before becoming king, David and his men kept marauders from stealing Nabal’s sheep or harming his herdsmen (1 Sam. 25). After moving south to avoid Saul’s persecution, David sent servants to Nabal requesting supplies. He reminded him how he had helped his herdsmen. Nabal not only refused David’s request but insulted him. Furious, David determined to kill Nabal, and every male associated with him. We understand David’s annoyance, but he was wrong.
Fortunately, Abigail, Nabal’s godly wife, heard what Nabal had done and what David was planning. She quickly arranged a caravan of supplies for David and his men. Upon meeting David, she apologized for her husband, then pleaded with David not to avenge himself, tactfully pointing out that if he did, he would regret it later.
David replied, “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to me! And blessed is your advice, and blessed are you because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand” (1 Sam. 25:32, 33). The strong warrior and king-to-be of Israel says to the wife of his enemy, “You are right, and I was wrong! Thank God that He sent you to me. Thank God for you!”
How do you respond when someone points out your mistake? Do you acknowledge your error and thank them for pointing it out? Do you thank God for sending them? That’s what a person with a heart for God does.
Joe Slater