"I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart . . ."
God loved David and his attitude of loyalty so much He made the above statement in Acts 13. Loyalty is a basic attribute of God's character. Without it, no person is qualified to rule. Read in this article how David was always loyal — and how you can increase in this aspect of your character.
GOD WILL never allow anyone to be born into His Kingdom who doesn't have loyalty! God needs beings He can put confidence in — beings He KNOWS will obey instantaneously.
The Key to David's Attitude
Mr. Herbert Armstrong has often said loyalty is one of the MOST IMPORTANT qualities a true Christian must have. King David had that character quality of unflinching, immediate, devoted LOYALTY!
Yes, David sinned — he committed adultery! He murdered Uriah (II Sam. 11:1-27). He was a bloody man (although he bitterly repented of these sins)! Yet, in spite of these failings we find God calls David "a man after mine own heart which shall fulfill all my will" (Acts 13:22).
Why?
Why did God pick out David? He didn't even say this of Noah, Job or Daniel. Yet, they were very righteous (Ezek. 14:14). When we understand WHY God looked upon David in this way, we can discern how God measures growth. We will know what standard God uses as a thermometer of spiritual zeal. We will know what it means to have the childlike attitude Christ said we must have to enter His Kingdom.
Let's delve into the life of David. Meanwhile, let's also examine how his archenemy Saul lived.
Perhaps no contrast between individuals of the Bible is as diametrically opposite as that between David and Saul.
David was loyal and devoted to God. He was subject to his superiors. He honored those over whom he ruled.
Saul was disloyal and devoted to HIMSELF.
As the story of their lives unfolds, this character antithesis becomes more apparent. And through this difference, we can see OURSELVES as we really are. As you read their story ask yourself, "Am I loyal? Am I constant, staunch, trustworthy, true — with Almighty God and my fellow man?”
Saul — Mighty in Appearance
In I Samuel 9:2, we read this description of Saul, "A choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people."
Saul had plenty of ability. He had a good physical appearance. In short, Saul had everything going for him. The people wanted him as their king. He could have won any election hands down. Saul could have been a POWERFUL INSTRUMENT in God's hands.
But Saul failed miserably!
Have you ever wondered WHY?
Saul Disloyal to God
The simple answer is: he lacked loyalty! Notice how Saul failed in this one most important quality. You can read the Biblical account of the story in I Samuel 15. Through the person of Samuel, God is telling Saul to perform a task: "Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass" (verse 3).
This was the commission. Notice especially the italicized words. Now, see how Saul FAILED to comply with these orders.
"And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.
"And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites ALIVE, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
"But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and WOULD NOT UTTERLY DESTROY them: but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
"Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is TURNED BACK from following me, and hath not performed my commandments" (verses 7-11).
Saul failed to follow simple instructions. He was disloyal to God and Samuel. He couldn't be trusted to perform according to what he was told.
But this was only part of the problem.
Saul tried to excuse and justify his actions.
"And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord: I HAVE PERFORMED the commandment of the Lord.
"And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?"
"And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed" (verses 13-15).
Saul was not steadfast in an emergency situation. He allowed people to get by with actions which were not in accordance with instructions. Saul couldn't carry out instructions himself either.
He refused to admit his failings. He clung to his excuses and championed his own cause. That made him loyal to himself — and no one else. Saul looked out for "Number One" in a tight situation. Then, he attempted to cover up and palm off the fraud that everything was being done according to instructions.
It was ONE HUNDRED PERCENT DISHONESTY AND DISLOYALTY!
Saul never repented of this problem. He had a kind of worldly sorrow. He finally admitted that he had sinned (I Sam. 15:24). But then he made the same mistake all over again. He was a double-minded man. Saul was unstable. He couldn't see the need of carrying a job through according to orders — no matter what the obstacles.
As a result, Saul lost out!
Read his life history carefully. You'll see this one dominant failing time after time.
What About You?
What can WE learn from this?
This one great principle! Human nature is ungrateful and self-centered. It's natural to be disloyal. There is an automatic pull that keeps us from arriving at the integrity that God demands!
No human being is automatically loyal. He must be TAUGHT to have this quality. He must constantly guard AGAINST seeking what is good only for himself.
Certainly God realizes we are weak. But if we are constantly disobeying, constantly excusing ourselves, constantly saying we will obey, only to sin again — we are being DISLOYAL TO GOD!
So ask yourself a candid question. Look yourself in the eye spiritually. Face yourself with this probing question: "Am I as wholeheartedly loyal to God as He is to me?"
Importance of Loyalty
Loyalty is a basic attribute of God's character.
Suppose for a moment that God were disloyal. Imagine if God were only kidding us along concerning the resurrection. Think about it! If God were to say, "Well, I know I promised to resurrect those who overcame, but I don't think I will."
Take another example. Suppose one or two prophecies, say Tyre and Daniel 11, were left to chance. Or maybe God would not intervene for His Work in a crisis when His intervention was necessary!
How could you put your trust in a God such as that? But God is not disloyal! He is the most impartial, fair, square-shooting, PROMISE-KEEPING Servant we have!
Loyalty is important — and demanded!
Remember, we are bought with a price. Our life is not our own. We are obligated to give God the same loyalty He showers upon us undeserving humans.
Let's see how David loyally served God — and how we can improve. It's an attribute of God, and we can pray for a firmer attitude of more complete allegiance to Him.