Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas 
When we think of David, we often think of the shepherd boy… the youngest in the family… who killed Goliath, spent years running from Saul’s anger, became king, took another man’s wife, and had him killed in battle.
There is more to David than those events. There is his heart—a heart devoted to God in constant communication.
Samuel told King Saul in 1 Samuel 13:14 (ESV), “The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart.” This was said when David was still a shepherd, before he slew Goliath. God saw David’s heart.
In 1 Chronicles 17:16, we see David’s HUMILITY. Nathan told David he couldn’t build the temple, but the Lord was building a house for him: a dynasty of kings. “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me this far?“
In Psalm 73, we find a description of David’s relationship with the Father and why Samuel described him as a man after God’s own heart. Additional passages show David’s constant communication with God in various situations:
LOVE and TRUST:
Psalm 18:1, “I love you, O LORD, my strength.”
Psalm 37:3, “Trust in the Lord and do good.”
RECOGNITION for WHO GOD IS:
Psalm 9:1, “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”
Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” The rest of this Psalm continues to proclaim the majesty of God.
Psalm 40 is a prayer of THANKSGIVING for deliverance:
“I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation” (vs. 10).
OVERWHELMED by betrayal:
In Psalm 55, David pours out his heart because of the rebellion of his son Absolom. Ahithophel, one of his thirty mighty men and a trusted advisor, sided with Absolom.
He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. God will give ear and humble them… My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant. His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords… But I will trust in you. (55:18-23)
PROTECTION when fleeing from Absalom:
Psalm 3:3, “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”
REFUGE:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea…The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Ps. 46:1-2,7)
THANKSGIVING for God’s MERCY:
Psalm 103:8, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
WORSHIP and PRAISE:
Psalm 106:1-2, “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise?”
Heartfelt words of REPENTANCE after his sin with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! … Restore to me the joy of your salvation. (Ps. 51:1-2, 12)
THANKS for ANSWERED PRAYER:
Psalm 116:1, “I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.”
Psalm 119 is a prayer of GRATITUDE for God’s Word: “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! (vs. 1) Then in verse 11, David gives one of the keys to knowing and doing God’s will, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Being TRANSPARENT:
Psalm 139 closes with, “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!” (vs. 23-24)
David allowed his life to be an “open book” before the Lord.
The Psalms show how David walked with God in all stages of life. He turns to God as we often do to a close friend who knows all our joys, hurts, and secrets, and that open communication molds David into a man after God’s own heart.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (29:13). David’s life is one of seeking relationship with God through constant communication in complete faith and trust. Are you developing your relationship with the Father through regular communication?