Week 8 Day 4

Day 4	A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART!
	"Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions." Psalm 51:1
	No excuses are made for David; no comment is necessary. In his life as in ours the words of Gal. 6:7 are seen to be true. One of Saul's servants, Doeg, witnessed the meeting between David and Ahimelech and reported back to his master (1 Sam. 21:7; 22:6-10). The appalling result was that Ahimelech and many others in Nob were put to death (v18,19). One of Ahimelech's sons Ahitub escaped and carried the news of this massacre to David. David admitted without reserve his responsibility, "I have occasioned the death of all the person's of thy father's house." (1 Sam. 22:22) and he vowed to protect Ahitub. David came face to face with the results of his own lies and deceit. In chapter 22 we see a kinder picture of David. He takes steps to protect his vulnerable family and many men, disadvantaged by Saul's reign and attracted by David's reputation for fairness and justice, join him in exile. The key verse however is verse 22 which shows us something vital about David. He admits his guilt without hesitation and takes full responsibility for his actions. Psalm 34, written about the time that he turned to Achish has some very pointed comments about himself (v13,14). Psalm 51 written after a much later incident shows David's grasp of the need for forgiveness and God's way of dealing with the sinner.
	David, as we have seen, was not perfect. He had his strengths and mighty deeds but also his weaknesses and shameful acts. He was a sinner like us all. Why then should he be called 'a man after God's own heart'(Acts 13:22)?
	Father, help me like David always to be willing to acknowledge my sin and seek your forgiveness.

Day 4

A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART!