10 Reasons David’s Called “A Man After God’s Own Heart”
(Part 3 David Was Respectful)
“And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will” (Acts 13:22)
David wrote, “Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies” (Psalm 40:4). David’s respect was spot on, that is on the LORD. Is there any doubt that this is one more reason that GOD called David, “a man after My own heart”? When we respect God, it means we respect the authority of His word, as we’ve said so many times, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3:17). The Lord’s people, unlike the multitudes of religious people, show their respect for Him by respecting His word as the authority in all aspects of our lives, whether it be following the pattern in our worship, or the manner in which we live out our day to day lives. We all want to be people after God’s own heart.
I would imagine that most Christians today have recognized that respect is almost a thing of the past, both young and old. Scarce is respect for authority, scarce is respect found in children. Rarely do you see respect for others, and even less do we see respect for God, sadly, sometimes even among some of His own children.
(1) Lack of Respect for the Governments / Authorities: Make no mistake, it is not wise to disrespect the governing authorities when their authority doesn’t usurp God’s. Paul wrote, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will [a]bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?” (Rom. 13:1-3 cf.). On the news something caught my attention concerning the lack of respect some have for the governing authority. During a time when so many are concerned for their own health and safety because of the COVID-19 virus, and amid many warnings, there were thousands of young people that disregard warnings not to gather in groups, hopped on planes flying to the beaches in Florida saying, and I quote, “Either we live or die, it doesn’t matter”. Clearly an attitude of disrespect for authority. More terrifying is that should even one of these people contract this virus, without knowing they may come home, greet their parents / grandparents, share their stories and cell phone photos and pass on the virus to them—who being older are at a greater risk of dying. Their lack of respect for authority turns deadly, and the attitude is, “live or dies, we don’t care”, and their lack of wisdom may just kill others. Paul also wrote to Titus saying, “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work” (Tit. 3:1). Solomon wrote, “1Who is like a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the sternness of his face is changed. 2I say, Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God” (Eccl. 8:1-2).
(2) Lack of Respect In the Hearts of Children: Every Christian knows teaching children to have respect is a command from God. Respect the elderly, “You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord” (Lev. 19:32). Respect for parents, Paul wrote, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise” (Eph. 6:1-2). Unquestionably the home is the place where respect must begin. Looking over the modern landscape we’ve likely all seen parents, in public, mishandling tantrums, smart mouths, and children that are acting mulish, obstinate, and stubborn. Parents today just throw up their hands saying this child is too difficult to handle. Discipline is a God given tool necessary to impart respect. Lack of discipline is the reason children don’t show respect for parents, or others. The wise man said, “Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction” (Prov. 19:18). Sure, the child will “cry” (KJV) when corrected, but don’t let that stop you from teaching proper respect. Remember “He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly” (Prov. 13:24) There is benefit to the parent, “Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul” (Prov. 29:17). I never met one person who showed respect for others that didn’t have some story that began with, “My mom or My dad used to say…”. As for David, remember who his father was, Jesse, whose father was Obed whose father and mother were Boaz and Ruth, and we know they were accounted as godly people (Ruth 4:13-21). Praise God for parents who train their children in the way of respect. And we know the best way for parents to teach their children to have respect is by showing them respect for each other (Eph. 5:32-33).
(3) Lack of Respect for Others: David often showed respect for others. There was the case recorded in 1 Samuel 25 where David showed respect for Abigial the wife of Nabal, a man who, “was harsh and evil in his doings” (v.3) and showed no respect for David’s men who, “were very good” (v.15) and instead repaid David, “evil for good” (v.21). Abigail herself showing respect for David, “fell on her face before David, and bowed down to the ground” (v.23). She advised the king basically, not to pay attention to her husband and not to shed blood over this issue. David praised God for sending Abigail, and for her advice which kept him from shedding blood (vs.23-34). David then said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. See, I have heeded your voice and respected your person” (v.35). In the news, “Virginia police investigating reports that teenagers filmed themselves coughing on produce at a local grocery store and uploaded videos on social media.” “We have learned that this appears to be a disturbing trend on social media across the country, and we ask for help from parents to discourage this behavior immediately.” Would the respectful do this to others? All people need to know that respect for others is necessary, good and required by God. Twice David showed respect for king Saul who sought only to kill him, twice sparing the king’s life. Once while hiding in that cave, (1 Sam. 24) and a second time saying, “The LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD’S anointed” (1 Sam. 26:11).
(4) Lack of Respect for God’s Word: Respect begins with proper respect toward God, Christ, and the Word of God. The Bible is the objective inspired word of God that came down from heaven to man (John 1:1; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Respecting the LORD who has “All authority…in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18) will make a difference in the kind of things we practice as a church, and how we live. We can easily the worldliness some churches of Christ have involved themselves in, because of lack of respect for scriptural authority. We had a visitor just two weeks ago who knew of elders that announced intent of having women “deacons”, serving at the Lord’s table. History tells of many churches of Christ who now are in the recreation and entertainment business, support human organizations to do the work God gave the local church to do. In every case the Word has been cut out (Jer. 36:23). Did David have respect for God’s word? David wrote, “The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.” (Psa. 19:7-11).
Show respect to all because God commands it (1 Tim. 2:1-3), because all are made in the image of God (Gen. 9:6), because God loves us all (1 John 4:10).
We must commit ourselves to show respect to all, even if he or she has not “earned” our respect, because God did, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).
Love
Dave Scarpino