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David: A Man After God’s Own Heart by Erin Clay
I
do not know when I first heard King David referred to as,
scripture is in the Bible. It is learning about who God is
“a man after God’s own heart,” but it resonated with me.
and what He expects from me.
This man lived a life that caught the attention of God at
David had a heart full of love for God. It is what is in
a very young age. He became one of the greatest Kings that
your heart that overflows. In David’s case, the overflow
we read about in the Bible, even though he did not live what
of his heart was singing, playing the harp, dancing, and
many would see as a perfect life. What about David made him, “a man after God’s own heart”? The story of David shows that he had a personal relationship with God. He regularly read and meditated on the scriptures. He openly sang, danced, and played music in worship to his God. He also prayed…a lot! It was what was in David’s heart that made his relationship with God so spectacular. He fully loved God with all his heart. He was not ashamed to dance in the streets to celebrate God. David prayed to God. As I examine my own relationship with God, I think about how many times I have gotten discouraged and did not immediately go to God in prayer.
shouting praises for the Lord. When David worshipped
I am reminded of what my husband and I told our kids
God, he really worshipped. He did not just go through the
when they were young—prayer has two parts: talking to
motions. So many times, I feel like I am distracted while
and listening to God. I ask myself, “Do I take the time to
worshipping, and I am not giving God the full attention he
listen to God?”
deserves. Worship must be intentional.
David also spent time in God’s Word. The best way to
I think the story of David’s life captures my attention
get to know someone is to spend time with them. Spending
so well because David gives me hope. He was a man that
time in the scriptures is how we get to know God. Not just
went through hard times and never gave up on God. David
reading, but also examining and learning them. In Psalm
is referred to so many times in the Bible. He led by example
119:11, David wrote, “I have hidden your word in my heart
and is someone that we can admire and learn a lot from.
that I might not sin against you.” It is important to know
You can find the story of David in 1 & 2 Samuel.
what the Bible says. I believe this goes beyond simply the scripture around the verses to understand why the
20 // August 2021
About The Author
learning your favorite Bible verses. It also means learning
My name is Erin Clay, and I am a wife, mom, and stepmom. My husband and I are Sunday school teachers at Calvary Baptist Church. I’ve lived my whole life in Rome, Georgia, and I own the travel blog titled “When In Rome, Georgia.”