IN THE MARGINS: After God’s own heart

By Tony Martin
Editor

David showed up in my Bible reading again this week. You know David — the shepherd boy turned giant-slayer turned king. The one who danced before the Lord and also fell flat on his face with sin. Yeah, that David.

The Bible calls him “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). I’ve read that description a hundred times, but it still makes me pause. Really? David? The guy who lied, committed adultery, arranged a murder, and then tried to cover it all up?

How is he the model?

If you’ve ever read David’s story and raised an eyebrow, you’re not alone. It’s hard to square his title with his track record. I mean, if someone came to me today with a résumé like his, I wouldn’t be quick to assign them a leadership role. I’d be more likely to suggest they step away from the spotlight and work on some “issues.”

But here’s the surprising thing I’m learning: Being a man (or woman) after God’s own heart doesn’t mean being perfect. It means wanting what God wants.

That hit me like a fresh wind this week. David was a mess at times — but his heart wanted what God wanted. And when he strayed from that path, he came back. Not reluctantly. Not defensively. He repented. Honestly. Wholeheartedly.

Psalm 51 is David’s gut-level confession after his most catastrophic failure. He doesn’t try to spin it. He doesn’t downplay it. He says:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).
He doesn’t just ask for forgiveness — he asks for alignment. “God, make my heart like Yours again.”

Now that’s something.

Let’s be honest — we all have noble desires, just like David. We want to be generous, kind, patient, loving. But we also get swamped. Not always by something scandalous, but often by the same root issue David had: uncontrolled passion. Maybe it’s anger. Maybe it’s pride. Maybe it’s the need to be right or the fear of being rejected.

But here’s what separates David from so many others: when he blew it, he didn’t just try to manage his sin — he brought it before God and repented. He didn’t say, “Well, nobody’s perfect.” He said, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13). No excuses. No hiding.

So let me ask a hard question that I’ve been wrestling with myself:

We may not be as bad as David in his worst moments… but are we as good as David in his best ones?

Do our hearts beat after God’s heart?

Do we care about the things He cares about?

Do we love people who are hard to love?

Do we grieve our sin — or just feel bad we got caught?

Do we hunger for righteousness, or just comfort?

Do we say “yes” to God only when it fits neatly into our plans?

These are not easy questions, and I’m not trying to beat anyone up. But I think sometimes we give ourselves a pass because we’re not “as bad” as somebody else. We’ve never cheated, lied, or schemed on the level David did. But being a person after God’s heart isn’t about staying out of trouble. It’s about seeking God in everything.

It’s about aligning our desires with His.

It’s about responding quickly when the Holy Spirit convicts us, not justifying our behavior or blaming someone else.

It’s about asking: What does God want in this moment? What would please Him most right now?

David didn’t always do that at first. But when confronted with his sin, he ran back to God—not because he had to, but because he wanted to. And that’s why he could still be called a man after God’s own heart.

If you’re feeling the weight of your own missteps — big or small — remember this: God isn’t looking for perfection. He’s looking for a surrendered heart. A teachable spirit. Someone who, like David, can pray:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23–24).

So today, here’s your invitation: Don’t measure yourself against David’s worst. Aspire to his best. Let your heart beat in rhythm with God’s. Even if you’ve blown it — especially if you’ve blown it — bring it all to Him. Lay it down. Let Him clean house and fill you with fresh desire.

Because here’s the beautiful, hope-soaked truth: God can use a broken heart, if it still beats for Him.

And if He can use David — He can use you.