After God’s Heart - His Passion

David was a prolific songwriter and musician. His performances were such inspired expressions that they relieved spiritual oppression in the king's heart. David was a great warrior who defeated armies in the name of His God. He was a wealthy man, acquiring the necessary resources to build an excellent house for the presence of His God. Large armies followed faithfully as their loyalty was given to the man they grew to love and serve with great passion for his goodness and great leadership ability. Of all the incredible men who stand out as examples and demonstrations of God’s glory, it is David who’s honor is above all others. Of all that occupied His energy and strength, it was the service of His Master that received the first priority. It was from his faithfulness to God with regard to those other pursuits that all other elements of David’s accomplishments and acquisitions came. As his heart was after God, he discovered great reward there. He found that God’s heart was for his good and great blessing. He also found what makes God’s heart tick with passion. The God who met him in worship was the same One who was passionate that nobody should perish. David found a heart that wept over any who followed after any other god. Because David had found mercy and grace in the Lord's heart, he was completely free from all that could have kept him from his blessing. In the noted diligence that marked all aspects of David’s greatness, it was the heart of God that became his identity, enabling every other honor and blessing.

Many notable accomplishments and resources will mark the life of the follower of Christ. However, what will enable all of these lived-out promises will first be following after the Father’s heart. In a fixation on His heart, all other doors to opportunity and prosperity are kept open, and what is found in that pursuit will be the resource that empowers all His provisions. In His heart will be found a passion for the currency of heaven that activates the full power of His love in everything. This investment that has made a place for each one at His side will continue to flow with unlimited resources where His passion isn’t just received but conveyed. To be after His heart is to take on its passion and the provision of all that is needed to fulfill it.

Notes

To be after God’s heart is to be passionate about knowing and doing what moves Him.

Acts 13:22 (NLT) 22 But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’

What is God’s heart? What moves Him?

Moved by people/their needs.

Matthew 14:14 (KJV) 14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

His heart – compassion/motivation to resolve affliction/condemnation.

Mark 1:41 (TPT) 41 Being deeply moved with tender compassion, Jesus reached out and touched the skin of the leper and told him, “Of course I want you to be healed—so now, be cleansed!”

How was Jesus aware of the Father’s will – the Scriptures.

Jesus’ proclamation through Isaiah of His mission.

Isaiah 49:6 (NLT) 6 He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

To be after the Father’s heart is to be anointed to carry it out.

Luke 4:18-19 (NLT) 18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.”

Mission – showing/sharing Jesus’ resurrection life/discipling

John 6:38-40 (NLT) 38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”

Jesus’ heart – lost people - reapers

Matthew 9:36-38 (TPT) 36 When he saw the vast crowds of people, Jesus’ heart was deeply moved with compassion, because they seemed weary and helpless, like wandering sheep without a shepherd. 37 He turned to his disciples and said, “The harvest is huge and ripe! But there are not enough harvesters to bring it all in. 38 As you go, plead with the Owner of the Harvest to thrust out many more reapers to harvest his grain!”

A heart after is a heart with a unified mission

John 17:18-21 (NLT) 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. 20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. After God’s heart is moving with what moves Him. Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT) 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”