Daily Devotional from The Way Bible Church for October 18th, 2019

If you ever do a study on King David, you will undoubtedly discover that the Bible says that God called him ‘a man after His own heart’. Most theologians and experts will argue that it was David’s heart of worship that earned him such an impressive title from God. While this reasoning may be true in part, it’s far from complete. David was no stranger to discomfort. He went from being a lonely shepherd, to a would be king fleeing for his life, to an adulterer, to a murderer, before he would ever be king. In all of this turmoil and grief, as you can see in today’s scripture reference, He didn’t pray for God to do away with all of his issues and problems like most people would. Rather, he asked God to change him as opposed to comforting him. This is no doubt why God spoke of David the way He did. He knew that if God changed his situation without changing his soul the success of getting out of the situation would fall short. God is always more interested in your character than your comfort. He will withhold things from you, even things He wants to give you, if He knows the weight of them could destroy you. A man or woman after God’s own heart is someone who has heard Him, but is but is willing to wait on Him, even in the absence of comfort. A mature believer understands that growth takes place during trials. They understand that while God is not the author of their struggles, He will use them to grow and mature someone into who He has intended for them to become. Are you in a place where you’re asking God to do away with a struggle instead of asking Him to help you overcome it? If so, consider a change in your thinking. Ask Him for strength rather than relief. Ask for grace to overcome instead of an escape. Doing so will enable Him to bring you to the next level of faith so you will be strong enough to stand in the position He has waiting for you. – Love and Blessings, Pastor Jeff