Seeking God's Heart: Embracing Humility and Faith
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound question: "What is God looking for?" In a world where people often seek recognition and validation from others, we are reminded that the only recognition that truly matters is that of God. We delved into the life of King David, a man who was chosen by God not because of his outward abilities or status, but because he was a man after God's own heart. David's story teaches us that God is not impressed by our talents or achievements but by our heart's posture towards Him.
David was chosen by God while he was still a shepherd boy, living in obscurity. Despite being overlooked by others, God saw David's heart—a heart that was hungry for God, humble, and honest. These qualities made David a man after God's own heart, and they are the same qualities God seeks in us today. David's life exemplifies that God uses ordinary people who are willing to seek Him earnestly and live with integrity.
We also learned that God does not require us to be perfect or exceptionally talented. Instead, He looks for those who are willing to spend quiet time with Him, live faithfully in obscurity, and face life's realities with courage and trust in God. David's life was marked by his commitment to God, his humility, and his integrity. He spent time alone with God, even in the mundane and monotonous tasks of shepherding, and he faced challenges head-on, trusting in God's strength.
In conclusion, God is calling each of us to be like David, to have a heart that seeks after Him. Whether we feel inadequate or unnoticed, God sees us and desires to use us for His glory. By cultivating a heart that is hungry for God, humble, and honest, we position ourselves to be chosen and used by God in powerful ways.
Key Takeaways:
1. Seek God's Recognition: In a world obsessed with external validation, the only recognition that truly matters is God's. When we live to please God, He lifts us from obscurity and uses us for His glory. Our focus should be on impressing God, not people. [00:00]
2. Heart After God's Own Heart: God chose David because he was a man after His own heart. This means having a heart that seeks God earnestly, is humble, and is honest. These qualities are what God values and looks for in us. [06:29]
3. Quiet Time with God: David's strength came from his quiet time with God. In our busy lives, we must intentionally carve out time to be alone with God, to listen to His voice, and to nurture our relationship with Him. [13:43]
4. Embrace Obscurity: God often prepares us in obscurity, away from the spotlight. It's in these hidden moments that our character is developed. We should not fear being unnoticed, as God sees and values our faithfulness in the mundane. [24:39]
5. Face Reality with Faith: Life's challenges are real, and like David, we must face them with faith and courage. God equips us to handle the realities of life, and when we do so, He uses us for His purposes. [33:25]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:00] - Seeking God's Recognition
- [06:29] - David: A Man After God's Heart
- [13:43] - The Importance of Quiet Time
- [24:39] - Embracing Obscurity
- [33:25] - Facing Reality with Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Samuel 16:1, 12-13
2. 1 Samuel 13:14
3. Acts 13:22
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Observation Questions:
1. What qualities did God see in David that led Him to choose David as king over Israel? [06:29]
2. How did David's life in obscurity prepare him for his future role as king? [24:39]
3. What role did David's quiet time with God play in his relationship with Him? [13:43]
4. How did David demonstrate faithfulness in his daily tasks before becoming king? [24:39]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to have a heart after God's own heart, as David did? How can this be applied to believers today? [06:29]
2. In what ways does God use ordinary people, like David, for His purposes? How does this challenge common perceptions of leadership and success? [33:25]
3. How does the concept of embracing obscurity contrast with today's culture of seeking recognition and validation? [24:39]
4. What can be learned from David's response to life's challenges, such as facing Goliath, in terms of faith and courage? [33:25]
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Application Questions:
1. In what areas of your life are you seeking recognition from others rather than focusing on God's recognition? How can you shift your focus to seek God's approval? [06:29]
2. Reflect on your current relationship with God. How can you cultivate a heart that is more hungry, humble, and honest before Him? [13:43]
3. What steps can you take to intentionally carve out quiet time with God in your busy schedule? How might this impact your spiritual growth? [13:43]
4. Are there areas in your life where you feel unnoticed or in obscurity? How can you embrace these moments as opportunities for growth and preparation? [24:39]
5. Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did you respond, and what can you learn from David's example of facing reality with faith? [33:25]
6. Identify a mundane task in your daily life. How can you approach it with faithfulness and integrity, as David did with his shepherding duties? [24:39]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to seek after God's heart and live with integrity, even when they feel inadequate or unnoticed? [33:25]
Devotional
Day 1: Seeking God's Recognition Over Human Approval
In a world that constantly seeks validation from others, it is crucial to remember that the only recognition that truly matters is God's. The story of King David illustrates this truth. David was chosen by God not because of his outward abilities or status, but because of his heart's posture towards God. He was a man after God's own heart, living to please God rather than people. This teaches us that when we focus on impressing God, He lifts us from obscurity and uses us for His glory. Our lives should be centered on seeking God's approval, which is eternal, rather than the fleeting validation of the world. [00:00]
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking human approval over God's? How can you shift your focus to prioritize God's recognition today?
Day 2: Cultivating a Heart After God's Own Heart
God values a heart that seeks Him earnestly, is humble, and is honest. David exemplified these qualities, which is why he was chosen by God. Despite being overlooked by others, God saw David's heart—a heart that was hungry for God. This teaches us that God is not impressed by our talents or achievements but by our heart's posture towards Him. We are called to cultivate a heart that seeks after God, embodying humility and honesty in our relationship with Him. These are the qualities that God values and looks for in us. [06:29]
"And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'" (Acts 13:22, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to cultivate a heart that seeks after God with humility and honesty? How can you embody these qualities in your daily life?
Day 3: The Power of Quiet Time with God
David's strength and relationship with God were nurtured through his quiet time with Him. In our busy lives, it is essential to intentionally carve out time to be alone with God, to listen to His voice, and to nurture our relationship with Him. This quiet time is where we draw strength, gain clarity, and deepen our understanding of God's will for our lives. Like David, we must prioritize this time with God, even amidst the demands of daily life, to grow spiritually and align our hearts with His. [13:43]
"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create a consistent routine for quiet time with God in your daily schedule? What changes can you make to ensure this time is prioritized?
Day 4: Embracing Obscurity for Character Development
God often prepares us in obscurity, away from the spotlight. It is in these hidden moments that our character is developed. David was chosen by God while he was still a shepherd boy, living in obscurity. Despite being overlooked by others, God saw David's heart and prepared him for greatness. We should not fear being unnoticed, as God sees and values our faithfulness in the mundane. Embracing obscurity allows us to develop the character and integrity needed for the purposes God has for us. [24:39]
"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel unnoticed or overlooked? How can you embrace these moments as opportunities for character development?
Day 5: Facing Life's Realities with Faith and Courage
Life's challenges are real, and like David, we must face them with faith and courage. God equips us to handle the realities of life, and when we do so, He uses us for His purposes. David's life was marked by his commitment to God, his humility, and his integrity. He faced challenges head-on, trusting in God's strength. We are called to do the same, relying on God's strength to navigate the complexities of life and fulfill the purposes He has for us. [33:25]
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one challenge you are currently facing that requires faith and courage? How can you trust in God's strength to navigate this challenge today?
Quotes
1) "We live in an era and a time where people go that extra mile to impress others and they want recognition from others for the work that they do. I've seen people post other pictures in Facebook or start a YouTube channel and they use Instagram to promote themselves. I'm not telling all these medias are wrong but if the purpose of all this is to seek recognition and impress your friends, friends we are in the wrong direction. Whom are we truly to impress? Whose recognition do we really need? I would tell you that we need God to be impressed with our lifestyle and we need God to recognize us as God-fearing and godly people. Amen." [00:00] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "God is not a respecter of persons. God is not partial. If God can do that in the life of David, God can do that in your life also. God can choose you. And God can use you in a very powerful way in this generation for the glory of God. You may tell me pastor, I am not having that call as David to be the king over Israel. I'm not called to fight the Philistines. I'm not a shepherd boy. Yes, David's calling is unique and in his generation he was used by God. You have a unique calling and if you have the heart of David to seek after God, God will choose you in the midst of so many people out there and God will lift you up and he will use you for the glory of his name." [06:29] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Are you foolish? Are you despised? Are you weak? Are you insignificant? Are you not talented? Congratulations! You are the person that God is seeking after if you have a heart after God's heart. You don't need any qualifications. You don't need any prerequisitions. You just got to have a heart that fears God and God's calling comes to you. Now, was David special? No, he was not special. David just sought God. There was nothing special about David. God did not create a person higher than the other. Nobody is extra special. David sought God's heart and so we can seek the heart of God." [13:43] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "David had a hungry heart for God. David had a hungry heart for God in second chronicles chapter 16 and it's verse 9 for the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him a committed heart is a perfect heart a committed heart is a friendly heart towards God do you know what David did David decided I am hungry for God I am hungry for fellowship with God and I want to be the friend of God the word of God says the eyes of the Lord range throughout the sea of humanity on earth to see if someone who will say in his heart I want to be the friend of God I am hungry for God I need more of God in my life we can do that this is something that we all can do what is important to God was important to David their two hearts shared the burden He listens to God's commands." [24:39] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "David had a humble heart. Friends, God opposes the proud. And if there is anybody who's proud in their lives, God opposes them. God will not lift them up. Pride goes before a fall. But if there is anybody who is humble, who just humbles himself in the sight of God, God will see that person, God will dwell with that person and God will lift up such a person. Isaiah chapter 57 verse 15. But this is what the high and exalted one says. This is what God says. He who lives forever, whose name is holy. I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit. God dwells with the people who are humble in their heart." [33:25] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "David had honest actions. In Psalm 78 verse 71 to 72. From tending the sheep, he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart, with skillful hands he led them. Do you know what David was? David was a man of integrity. He had honesty. As his real character. He was a man of character and he had honest actions. Integrity means moral soundness, honesty, uprightness of character and completeness. Listen to David's words of his own integrity. Psalm 23 verse 3. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. He was not self-righteous. David was not self-righteous. He depended on God to lead him into the paths of righteousness." [33:25] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "Quiet time. He had time alone with God always. No matter how busy David was, he spent time alone with God. Come to Psalm 63, verse 1 to 2. David says, You, God, are my God. Earnestly I seek you. I thirst for you. My whole being longs for you in a dry and parched land where there is no water. Verse 6 of Psalm 63, On my bed I remember you. I think of you through the watches of the night. David spent time alone with God. Remember the times when he took the father's sheep into the wilderness? There was nobody around David. There was nobody to disturb him. It was the sheep, God and David. On those silent times of his life, he spent enough time praying, seeking the face of God and meditating in the presence of God." [33:25] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Obscurity is a state of being unknown. Do you know that even after being anointed the king of Israel, David was in obscurity for many, many years after that. He did things that nobody knew, nobody recognized him, but he kept on doing the mundane things day after day, day after day, and he lived in obscurity. But even when he lived in obscurity, he had his quiet time, and it is in those obscure moments that God made him the person that David was. Servant leaders must spend much time unknown, unseen, and unappreciated. One of the things that I lament about this age that we live in is that young people are constantly asked to step up, lead now, don't wait, now is the time. The problem with that is that you don't have enough time within you to develop character and strength that will take for you to lead." [33:25] (64 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "Faithfulness. David was faithful in his mundane activities of his life. He kept on doing the same things again and again. Every day, taking care of the sheep. If his father tells him to go to find the whereabouts of his brothers, he would go over there. He kept on doing the same thing again and again and again and again. But faithfully. And it was in those mundane things of life, which was not very important in the sight of others, that God prepared him. But David was faithful. Friends, you may be going to job and taking care of your family. and doing many things routinely again and again. But I want to tell you, God is watching your faithfulness. Are you doing it effectively? And David's life is such an example for us." [33:25] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10) "David lived in reality not in fantasy world many of us live a lot of life in the fantasy world what is happening in the screen is a fantasy world but we face giants every day sometimes we face a lion sometimes we face a bear and sometimes we face Goliaths and we live in reality life is difficult life has its own challenges life has its own problems life has its own problems that come across and we are called to face reality and whenever David was given a challenge in his real life he faced it head -on and God said here is a man I can promote and make him the king over Israel he will take care of my land and he will take care of my people friends I want to tell you we need to live in reality life is not easy life is burdensome tiresome life has its own challenges and problems and that's where we don't run away from challenges we don't run away from reality we face reality head -on and by the grace of God we will overcome every giants and God is looking for such people to lift them up and use them for the glory of his name" [33:25] (76 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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