David- the Heart of a Leader

Pastor Mike Knoll

Ever since its conception, the Church has always been in need of heroes. Men and women who have a special status to act in a manner that commands honour, respect and esteem. Ordinary, unsuspecting folks who are unwittingly thrown into the heat of the battle designed by God to refine them in His holy fire, forging them into leaders that the average christian can look up to and follow without idolizing them. These are Heaven’s unassuming stars, God’s chosen heroes, whether they realize it or not.

One of the greatest “bright lights” in the Bible was David. His memorable name is recorded 1,139 times in the Old and New Testament. His name exceeds that of Moses, Abraham, Joseph and any other great saint used mightily by God. Jesus honoured this humble hero by claiming the title, “Son of David” which is referenced 15 times in the Gospels. What made David great? Simple answer—his heart. David had the heart of a worshipper. He spent days upon days in the open fields and hills attentively caring for his father’s sheep, not in frivolous daydreaming or idleness but in singing psalms and making melody in his heart unto the Lord. His heart was so filled with love and reverence for God that it freely overflowed from his lips with praise! So anointed was David’s worship that King Saul, tormented by an evil spirit, called for him to play his music that he might find momentary relief, for the anointing destroys the yoke. Such was this young man, though rejected by his earthly father was selected by his Heavenly Father, for the unassuming psalmist possessed the heart of a servant king.

No one can look into the heart of a leader, but time reveals all. We must be careful not to be easily swayed with outer results, numbers, statistics, charisma, popularity etc. while the leader’s heart and motive goes undetected. Results do not thrill God—He is always more impressed with our heart than with our accomplishments and actions. When Samuel was on his mission to find Israel’s next king to replace the disobedient Saul, he was positive that Eliab, Jesse’s finest looking son had to be the successful candidate. Tall, dark and handsome! In fact, consider how sure Samuel was of himself in 1Samuel 16:6, “When the sons arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” But God corrected His mistaken prophet, for “man looks on the outward appearance but the Lord looks upon the heart”. (1 Samuel 16:7) The Lord looks upon the heart.

Prophetic people must stay humble, having their spiritual ears tuned on the Spirit’s voice to guide them and not to lean upon their own understanding or their winning track record. Men pleasers do not make good prophets. They can miss God’s will.

God unveiled His apprentice king over Israel in Psalm 89:19-20, “I have exalted one chosen out of the people. I have found David My servant; with My holy oil have I anointed him”.

The God of Israel Himself trained David for his future role of authority and servanthood. Psalm 78:70-72 “He chose His servant David, calling him from the sheep pens. 71 He took David from tending the ewes and lambs and made him the shepherd of Jacob’s descendants—God’s own people, Israel. 72 He cared for them with a true heart and led them with skillful hands.”

David spent 13 years from the time of his anointing to the time of his appointing. Much of that time was spent in the wilderness getting him spiritually prepared for the throne. There are no shortcuts to the throne. Don’t be surprised when your heart is brimming with vision and purpose and exhilaration to enter your destiny and God puts you on hold, sometimes for years, (yes, years!) because God is more interested in developing your heart and character to go the distance and not just become an overnight sensation!

Christ, the Son of David, was a Servant to His people, the Jews. Jesus plainly declared that He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. That is developed character that can withstand the long, grueling path of trial and preparation for one’s destiny. To be sure there are definite “dark blots” in David’s bright life, in spite of him being called a man after God’s own heart by the Lord Himself. The most obvious failure on the list was his adultery with Bathsheba and the plotted murder of her husband, Uriah, which is hard to conceive of such a righteous man committing. He also at one time feigned insanity to escape a dangerous situation with the Philistine enemies. Not too classy for a future king! He was also rebuked by God for trusting in the might of his vast war machine rather than in God, his Mighty Fortress when he haughtily took a consensus in Israel of his potential military forces.

David was far from perfect in his moments of weakness, but his passion and humility was the bedrock of his noble character. Character that was quick to repent for sin. When David had a fool-proof opportunity to destroy Saul, his sworn enemy, his character would not allow him to lay his hand against the Lord’s anointed, although his own comrades pressured him to do so. David was a beacon of light in the kingdom of Israel. Just like a pair of stable book ends, the name of David is recorded in the opening chapter of Matthew and the closing chapter of Revelation—a man after God’s own heart—a true leader in the making!