verticallife

I hope this doesn’t sound gruesome, but did you ever wonder what people would think of you when you’re gone? Paul gave a eulogy of sorts when he quoted David and used him as an example in Acts 13.

He noted how God testified, “I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” (v22) Paul then noted how David “served God’s purpose in his generation.”

A “man after my own heart.” It’s not the kind of “after” where one object comes after another. It’s the “after” where one object chases after another. It’s the “after” where one object is fashioned “after” another.

In a conversation with Saul, Samuel said, “your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command.” (1 Samuel 13:14)

The heart.

When Samuel came to David’s hometown he came to anoint a new king. At first he looked at the pride of Jesse, his eldest son, and thought, “surely this is the Lord’s anointed.” But then God whispered in his ear, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

The heart.

David’s son Solomon wrote how the heart is the “wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) Essentially the heart is the center of our being, the root of our emotions. After seeing his half-hearted obedience, Saul’s support was removed. God was looking for a man who chased after His heart, the center of His being.

The evidence of that inward chasing and seeking came through his obedience: A “man after my own heart” will “do everything I want him to do.” (Acts 13:22)

How hard are you chasing after God? How carefully are you living out God’s instructions? How deliberately are you fulfilling God’s purposes? “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout all the earth to strongly support those whose hearts are completely His.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)

We are beginning a new series based on the Psalms this weekend. The series is called: iPraise: Living the Vertical Life. This won’t be a “normal” series that only last a month or two. It may take us awhile! It will include a regular devotional that will work through each Psalm, but we’ll only focus on select Psalms (songs) on Sundays. Plus, there is a way for you to get involved. Please email me (johnnyaho@live.com) regarding your thoughts, impressions and applications as you read through the Psalms. “The Vertical Life – A Journal for the Journey,” is something I’d like others to participate in. You can be my research assistants!