1 Samuel 13:13-14

So far, we’ve been discussing Christ on the move. We talked about the example of Enoch as an ideal relationship with God, noting that we should seek this intimate relationship with our Lord and Saviour. What is key about this relationship is that Enoch walked with God. God is in the lead role – and we are to surrender our will to His; submit to His Authority; obey His Word; and endure in His Service. Then we will have the sort of relationship characteristic of Enoch, who was not; and God took him.

Next we looked at the example of Blind Bartimaeus as he caught Jesus passing him by. In spite of those who told him to be quiet, Bartimaeus refused to be silent; he refused to let Jesus pass him by without pleading for mercy. Bartimaeus did not want to lose the opportunity of a lifetime; and he had the boldness of faith to ask the impossible – to receive his sight (Mark 10:51). We learned that by seizing this opportunity, Bartimaeus was brought into a more intimate relationship to walk with the Lord.

Then we examined a potentially hazardous situation in which the disciples were caught in a storm away from Jesus Christ. We noted the apparent purpose of God in manifesting His glory in the situation. There is the principle here that the disciples encountered trouble when Christ was not with them; and also that His providential care met them at the very point of their need. We further see that their safety, comfort, and strength came when they were again in the Presence of the Lord. When it seems as though Jesus would pass us by, there is great benefit to crying out to Him!

Our next example of someone that would not allow the Lord to pass by is King David. However, David wasn’t always a king. Before he was crowned as a monarch and given the responsibility to reign over the entire nation of Israel; before he was promised an everlasting kingdom; before he even slew his first giant or fought his first military battle, David had the testimony of being a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22).

Much could be said of this testimony in regards to our earlier examples of Enoch and Moses. Primarily, we must note that this testimony is given by God Himself. This indicates more than an outward appearance, because God tries the hearts of man (1 Samuel 16:7). As God gave witness to David’s attitude, we see that David’s heart was set upon the Lord; he was not self-serving in his motives, but sought the glory of God. Just as Enoch and Moses sought the closeness of an intimate relationship with God, David’s testimony is that he desired fellowship with the Lord.

Yet another important point can be made from God’s testimony of David. As we’ve made reference, the Bible twice says that David was “after” God’s heart. This curious expression could mean that David’s heart was set “according to” God’s heart, as though his affections were formed thereto. But I believe there’s another meaning: that David sought “after” God’s heart in an attempt to win it. This is to say that David’s greatest desire and pleasure derived from doing those things that honored God; he wanted to bless the Lord and make Him happy. He wasn’t seeking after temporal blessings for himself; he was seeking after God’s heart.

What a tremendous thing! To know the Lord is one thing, and to keep His commandment is our duty. But such dutiful obedience at best makes one an unprofitable servant (Luke 17:10). David had no argument with the Word of God. Rather, David wanted to go above and beyond simply obeying God. He wanted to please God. He wanted to be close to God in such a relationship that he could be said to have won God’s heart.

By testifying that David was “after” His heart, the Lord reveals to us that David understood the blessedness of such intimacy with God. As we’ve seen from our other examples, this blessedness is not only desirable; it is obtainable. Enoch walked with God. Moses did not want to leave His Presence. Blind Bartimaeus rejoiced as he walked with Christ. The disciples found themselves in danger when they left Him. David was determined to do those things pleasing to the Lord in an attempt to win His heart. In all these instances we see a yearning desire to be with the Lord where He is (John 17:24).

Reader what about you? Do you desire that deep intimacy that is possible with the Lord?

True blessedness exists when we not merely follow the Lord, but actually walk with Him. Christ must be “all, and in all” (Colossians 3:11). We have to lay aside everything that hinders us from seeing Him as the object of our affection, and strive as David to win God’s heart. Be not confused; this is not an attempt to earn His grace, but an expression to love Him who first loved us (1 John 4:19).

Friend, the Lord Jesus Christ is moving and He bids us to come with Him. Don’t let Him pass you by.