Mandisa - Out Of The Dark DevotionalSample

Prove Me Wrong

Devotional by Mandisa

“..for the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart. The LORD has already appointed him to be the leader of his people...” 1 Samuel 13:14b NLT

Do you ever wonder what made David "a man after God's own heart"? I realize that Jesus is only one perfect Man who ever walked the earth, but come on! David? The same man who used his authority to have an affair on a woman, got her pregnant, and then had her husband (who was fighting in his army) murdered? That David was the one God says was a man after His own heart?

Admittedly, while I can think of many things that would cause God to bestow this incredibly honoring title on David, I suspect that one of those reasons is that David walked in close relationship with God. I believe that the best relationships are those of complete honesty and common sharing of feelings. If David did nothing else, he was certainly honest with God.

After watching my friend Lakisha die, my hope was deferred, my heart was sick, and I was anything but honest with my feelings toward God. I shut down and ignored Him. I can learn a lot from David. Maybe you can too.

1. Be honest with emotions—David was regularly grumbling to the Lord about things he felt God and other people did to him. I'm not suggesting we make a habit of complaining, but if we're going to do it, it seems to me that it is better to voice it to God than anyone else.
2. Be quick to repent—David made a lot of mistakes in his life, but when he was confronted with it, he was very quick to admit his wrong, repent, and receive God's forgiveness without wallowing in shame.
3. Be joyful in praise—David was a worshipper! It seems that he was always dancing, singing, and loudly proclaiming the goodness of God. I imagine that he'll be a blast to hang out with in heaven!

I was still very much in the dark when I wrote "Prove Me Wrong," a song that expresses my heartbreak at Kisha's passing. Interestingly, months later, when I was out of the dark and listened again, I felt as if the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart, "Mandisa, you challenged me to prove you wrong. I just did." I can't help but wonder if finally bringing my broken heart to God allowed Him to heal it and usher in the grace He longed for me to have. I think David was onto something!

Do you carry any anger, resentment, or disappointment towards God? I encourage you to take some time as you read these scriptures to honestly express your heart to Him. He can handle it. He might even delight in it and see those who do it as men and women after His own heart.