“I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will” (Acts 13:22 NKJ).
This is one of those verses which reads the same in the Old Testament (1 Sam. 13:14) as in the New Testament. When the Lord states that David is a man after His own heart what He is saying is: “David is My kind of man! I can count on him to do all My will without any reluctance or hesitation.”
Twice in the Psalms, David discusses his willingness to do the Lord’s will. In Psalm 40:8 he declares: “I delight to do Your will, 0 my God. And Your law is within my heart” (NKJ). Then in Psalm 143:10 he requests the Lord’s help in this area: Teach me to do Your will… (NKJ). This desire to do the Lord’s will was pleasing to God.
David had another characteristic that qualified him to be a man after God’s own heart. It was a quickness to acknowledge wrongdoing when he was confronted with it. David was quick to repent. He did not hide his sins. He did not carry grudges, hatred, unforgiveness, or resentment in his heart.
He always hurried to the place of forgiveness and reconciliation.
How many hours, days, weeks, months, and years have we wasted by not coming to grips with unconfessed sin?
David was so sensitive about displeasing the Lord that he was quick to make amends and be restored to loving fellowship. He did not lose any time clearing away the debris in his life. It was this quality that caused him to be a man after God’s own heart.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.