Photos by Ralph Freso / Livestream/ Slideshow
King David attracted an array of followers, from artists to athletes to failed people to leaders.
But David, highlighted by pastor Jamie Rasmussen of Scottsdale Bible Church at Grand Canyon University Chapel on Monday, stood out because of one significant trait: his heart for God.
“I want you to do an audit of your own life right now,” the Chapel speaker told students at Global Credit Union Arena. “I want you to do an audit of the disposition of your heart to see if it's truly beating (for God).”
Rasmussen was pleasantly surprised no one chose to feature David so far this year in their Chapel talks, whose theme is “Heroes of the Faith.”
“Everyone finds a connection point with him,” he said.
Musicians admired David for his ability to play a lyre, or a kinnor, an instrument believed to have 10 strings. But his defeat of the much larger Goliath with a slingshot was what gained the attention of athletes.
Rasmussen described David as a tender and emotional man who got in trouble for infidelities, though “he learned to fail forward in his life,” following God and reiterating his faith in Him.
Rasmussen added that he’s guided parents of struggling children to see how David coped with his two wayward sons.
“There's one thing I've learned about being a parent. It's that there's nothing more heartbreaking when you see your kid struggle,” Rasmussen said. “You guys, wait. You're going to get there someday.”
David’s ability to lead Israel with an upright heart, skilled hands, character and competence gained the attention of leaders.
“Three steps forward and two steps back, but always moving forward,” Rasmussen said. “He was a politician, an economist, a visionary strategist and a pastor, all rolled up into one.”
But Rasmussen warned students that they should look beyond what David’s admirers saw on the outside.
For instance, Rasmussen points to 1 Samuel 16:7, in which Samuel envisions Eliab to be selected as the next King of Israel from among Jesse’s sons because of his height and knightly looks.
But God tells Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord does not see as a man sees. They look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
That coincides with 1 Samuel 13:14, when King Saul’s kingdom ends because he disobeyed God’s command to name a ruler “after his own heart.”
As for David, he stated he had a desire for God. That convinced God to tell David that if he had a desire to find the presence of God in his life, then he probably had a heart for Him.
“And if you do, you’re also going to realize that it's in that thirst, that it's in that desire, that you actually experience God,” Rasmussen said.
About 15 years ago, he recalled a dinner with a mentor in Denver. That mentor expressed spiritual frustration over not experiencing God more.
“He said, ‘Jamie, did you ever think that in the thirst, that in the desire – just having – that is part of the experience of God?’" Rasmussen recalled.
So this should blow you away. Even in your sin, you can realize you have a heart for God and how you respond to yourself.
Jamie Rasmussen, Scottsdale Bible Church
Ask for further explanation, Rasmussen was told, “You're not going to get your thirst completely punched until you get to heaven. That's what being in a fallen world is all about.”
The mentor added that Rasmussen’s thirst was a good thing and that he can actually start to experience God even though he was yearning for Him.”
Rasmussen also reveals David’s humility as a trait that God recognized and that students can learn from. In 2 Samuel 7:18, David asks the Lord, “Who am I, O Lord? And what is my house that You have brought me this far?”
“Humble people don't read their own press releases,” Rasmussen said. “They know that, but for the grace of God, things have gone drastically different, and so they give all credit and glory to God.
“And here's the point – it reveals the heart in them. It reveals a heart that is more about God, is more about others than it is about the self. And if you find yourself having similar moments, or better yet, a pattern of humility, the chances are you have a heart that is aligned with God's heart.”
And the repentance that David expressed after committing adultery and recognizing that God accepts him serves as a lesson.
“I hear Christians say it all the time,” Rasmussen said. “They say, ‘God, I promise I'm never, ever, ever going to do that again.’ It's hard to find that in the Bible. And David certainly doesn't say that.
“… And that's the point. A heart that beats after God's heart is regularly open to the reality of sin and then turns to God. That's all. The word repentance means to turn and humbly confess sin. And even as you find yourself doing this, you realize you got a heart for God. So this should blow you away. Even in your sin, you can realize you have a heart for God and how you respond to yourself.”
Rasmussen implored students to spend more time studying David.
“Please don't miss the main point, and that is that what God wants you to emulate more than anything is His heart, and you have a heart like David's heart,” Rasmussen said.
“This is what he's best known for. It's what I hope you’re most known for.”
University Pastor Dr. Tim Griffin, in his opening remarks, encouraged students to attend the Canyon Worship X live album recording at 7 p.m. Thursday at Antelope Gymnasium. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
GCU News senior writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected].
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Next Chapel speaker: singer/songwriter Mack Brock, co-founder of Elevation Worship, 11 a.m. Monday, Global Credit Union Arena
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