David: The Man After God’s Own Heart

By Pastor Jeremiah Dalama

Text: Acts 13:22; Psalm 51:1–13

Sermon Theme: God desires not perfection, but a heart that earnestly seeks Him in truth, humility, and repentance.

Introduction: The Paradox of David

David—king, warrior, poet, and sinner—is one of the most complex and compelling figures in all of Scripture. He is remembered as the slayer of Goliath, the sweet psalmist of Israel, and the ancestor of the Messiah. And yet, he is also remembered for some of the gravest sins recorded in the Bible—adultery with Bathsheba and the orchestrated murder of her husband, Uriah.

Still, God Himself testifies in Acts 13:22: “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”

How can such a flawed man be described in such glowing spiritual terms? This paradox forms the heart of today’s message: David was a man after God’s own heart not because he was sinless, but because he was sincere. He was not defined by his failures, but by his response to them—repentance, humility, and a deep longing for God.

I. A Heart That Sought God Even in Failure

David’s rise to prominence began with faith. As a youth, he trusted in God to defeat Goliath. As king, he often sought God’s will before making decisions (1 Samuel 23:2; 2 Samuel 2:1). His psalms overflow with prayers, praises, and pleas to a holy God.

Yet, despite his closeness to God, David stumbled—badly. The account in 2 Samuel 11–12 shows his downward spiral: lust, adultery, deception, and ultimately murder.

But David’s defining moment was not his sin—it was his response to God’s rebuke. When confronted by the prophet Nathan, David didn’t deny, justify, or blame others. He simply said: “I have sinned against the Lord.” (2 Samuel 12:13)

II. Psalm 51: A Window into a Repentant Heart

Nowhere is David’s sincerity more evident than in Psalm 51—a public confession, likely penned after his sin with Bathsheba. This is not a surface apology; it is deep, desperate, and raw.

1. Recognition of Sin (vv. 1–5)

“For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” (Psalm 51:3)

David owns his guilt. He doesn’t merely regret the consequences; he is broken over his offense against God.

2. Appeal for Mercy (vv. 1–2)

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness…”

David throws himself upon the mercy of God. He knows that only divine grace can cleanse him from within.

3. Desire for Inner Renewal (v. 10)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

David knows that outward rituals mean nothing without inner transformation. He desires holiness—not as an act, but as a condition of the heart.

4. Commitment to Serve Again (v. 13)

“Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”

David doesn’t wallow in guilt; he aspires to use his redemption as a testimony. He wants others to know the mercy of the God who restored him.

III. What Made David a Man After God’s Own Heart?

1. He Loved God Deeply

Read the Psalms, and you’ll find a man passionately in love with God. Psalm 18:1 begins with: “I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.” David’s faith wasn’t ritualistic—it was relational.

2. He Was Humble Before God

David knew his position was due to God’s favor. Even at the height of his power, he would dance before the Ark, willing to look foolish before men to honor God (2 Samuel 6:14–22).

3. He Was Quick to Repent

When Saul sinned, he offered excuses. When David sinned, he offered his heart. God is not looking for perfection, but for those who will fall at His feet in brokenness and surrender.

4. He Desired God’s Will Above All

David’s life was marked by a longing to know and do God’s will. Though flawed, his heart constantly returned to the question: “Lord, what would You have me do?”

IV. God’s Grace and the Human Heart

David’s story reminds us that God’s grace is greater than our deepest failure. God doesn’t discard the broken. He restores them.

Jesus, the Son of David, is the ultimate proof of this truth. He came not for the righteous, but for sinners. Just like David, we too fall short. But through confession and repentance, we are met with forgiveness and restoration.

V. The Call to Us Today

1. Come Clean Before God

No matter what you’ve done, God invites you to lay it bare before Him. Repentance isn’t about shame—it’s about restoration.

2. Desire a Clean Heart

We must ask God not just for forgiveness, but for transformation. Let our prayer echo David’s: “Create in me a clean heart.”

3. Pursue Holiness and Integrity

Like David, we must strive daily to obey God, even when we fail. Holiness is not instant—it’s a pursuit. It’s a walk, step by step, guided by grace.

4. Use Your Redemption to Help Others

Your past doesn’t disqualify you—it equips you. Just as David committed to teach others after his restoration, so too can we.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Grace

David’s legacy isn’t his sin—it’s his heart. A heart that longed for God, broke under conviction, cried out for mercy, and rejoiced in restoration.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)

May we be people after God’s own heart—not because we are perfect, but because we pursue Him relentlessly through every failure, every valley, and every mountaintop.

Sermon Summary

Title: A Man After God’s Own Heart

Text: Acts 13:22, Psalm 51

Theme: God’s heart seeks sincerity, not perfection.

Main Points:

• David sought God even in failure.
• Psalm 51 shows the depths of true repentance.
• David’s legacy rests on his heart for God.
• God’s grace transforms the broken.
• We too can be people after God’s own heart.

© 2025 Pastor Jeremiah Dalama. All rights reserved.