Be A Girl After God's Own Heart: Consider What David Thought About God...

It happened again, y'all. SICK AGAIN! UGGHH!!

Another fever and cough started early this last week. The fever broke within the first 24 hours, but the cough just kept getting worse and worse. So, Friday morning, I decided I needed to get fresh air and take a walk. Well, apparently, that was one of the worst things I could have done. As the day progressed, I got worse, and by late afternoon, my precious Harley Grace was pretty insistent that she take me to the ER.

6 hours and lots of tests later, they decided that what initially presented as pneumonia was not (not viral or bacterial) but is actually pneumonitis (inflamed lungs based on unknown irritants), and they also added acute bronchitis (inflamed airways). They believe the past 7 weeks of sickness have accumulated, and my lungs just could not handle any more.

I am being cared for as I should...and I am confident I will be ok.

But this has made me think about a few things...

First of all...This was definitely not what I had planned!!!

BUT I could truly say that I feel the peace and presence of God, I could not have if I had been running my normal crazy pace!

Over the past few mornings, still hacking like a sick dog, I have had a series of really sweet moments with the Lord that I hope resonate with me for the rest of my life!! In the midst of all the feel-bad, I am once again having trouble reading, studying, and taking notes. So, I just lay there in the bed, listening to Psalm 18, Psalm 19, and 1 Samuel 17. I am so grateful that I had to lie still because in that dark space, He asked me to think about His Word, along with things I've learned from Warren Wiersbe's writings about David.

He was a successful servant, sufferer, and singer.

Think about the day David showed up in front of Goliath. He didn't form a ministry and draft a budget. No! Actually, he was just being obedient to his father, delivering food and goods to his brothers there as they faced these giant Philistines. David stayed home, tending his sheep, going about his business, and just did what God put in front of Him. Once he got there and recognized that God had been training him in advance for this moment, people doubted him, and his own brother made fun of him. They tried to dress him up in man-made armor, but he confidently did the next thing...kill Goliath with a stone!!

Now think about his relationship with Saul. Oh my word, there are so many layers to that, but in short...Saul was horribly jealous and crooked to say the least. He hated David because he was favored by God. He pursued and harassed David to no end. Even his own son, Jonathon, confessed the wrongs of his father. Here's the kicker, though: David had two chances to kill him, but he didn't! Even more, David chose to honor Saul as His King (and father-in-law, by the way), never saying a bad word about him. More on that in a minute...

Another thing that blows my mind is that David lived his life longing to be the one who would rebuild the temple, but God said no. He told him that his son, Solomon, would be the one to do it. So what does David do? Does he huff and puff and demand that God do it the way he originally hoped it would? Does he treat his son's life as an enemy because he technically "stole" David's dream? NO! He went to work gathering the money and resources necessary so that Solomon could thrive when it was time for him to take the throne.

And all the while, this man after God's own heart was writing Psalms like this...

“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover, by them Your servant is warned [reminded, illuminated, and instructed]; In keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors or omissions?

Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults. Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous (deliberate, willful) sins; Let them not rule and have control over me. Then I will be blameless (complete), And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.”

Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭9‬-‭14‬ ‭AMP‬‬

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David's words make me think of what AW Tozer said,

“What you think about God is the most important thing about you.”

David was a successful servant, sufferer, and singer because all along he believed the way of his heavenly Father was more important than anything else. (Make note that this is one of many points that make him a Christ-type, foreshadowing the nature of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ). Of course, we see David in his humanity making multiple mistakes, and some of them were quite horrible. But think of what Wiersbe said...

"We learn from David that what distinguishes the best of God's people isn't that they are perfect, but that they know they are forgiven."

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The timing of these reminders and revelations is, of course, without coincidence:

Of course, I need to work on being willing to just do what is in front of me, trusting that the hard things I am going through are quite possibly refining and training moments in preparation for a Goliath moment.

Most assuredly, I need to learn how to put away my sword and bite my tongue because sometimes...no wait...every time I am struggling with a person, I must consider what God would have me do and obey Him at every turn, no matter the cost. (Another note to make: Think about what Isaiah foretells about Jesus (Is 53:7). Think about Jesus before his accussers and on the cross.)

Without a doubt, I need to learn how to leave God's plan up to Him and be delighted when others are lifted to places of service or recognized in ways that I had hoped for myself. I absolutely must take joy in doing the work that will prepare the way for those who come behind me, that they might find me faithful to God alone!

And unquestionably so, I need to write of God's unwavering love and provision according to His perfect character, plan, and purpose. I must write "in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in [my] heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 5:19-21, KJV).

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Truth be told, it is in my fallen nature to first be in awe of these things, but then become overwhelmed and a bit panicky about how I am to live them out in my own life. However, as I lay there, still coughing (and possibly pottying on myself—you girls know ;0)...The Holy Spirit followed the direction of the Heavenly Father and spoke so clearly to my heart that everything in my body responded with calm. This is the part that I pray will resonate with me forever. I want this to be the most important part of my existence...

"Daughter, the Father will show you day by day, moment by moment, what is necessary for what He has ordained for you in a day. He will bring to light your unwitting sins and misgivings and great conviction to your willful ones regarding the stewardship of your time, your heart, your money, your effort, your resources, and on and on. Trust Him to do what is better than any plan you can make to accomplish in your own strength.

Be at peace and do the next thing."

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Beloved sister, as you read this, may you be challenged and comforted like I have. May the presence and love of the Lord be the only thing that satisfies your soul. May HE ALONE be your portion. May your longings be made obedient to the One who has supplied you with both victories and afflictions in order to bring you closer to Him! May the words that flow from your mouth be a reflection of a heart that continually celebrates that she is forgiven and free through the finished work of Jesus Christ!

"Deep in my soul there's a craving

To please the One who has saved me

O God, though I have fallen so far

You know that I'm still

A man (girl) after Your own heart

I am driven by rivers of pride

You are my rescue

The Maker and Keeper of my life

Lead me by the still waters again

Use me in spite of the prodigal child

That You know I am

Just as a deer runs to water

So does my soul to You, Father

O God, though I have wandered so far

You know that I'm still

A man (girl) after Your own heart"

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