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I trust in you with all my heart. Don\u2019t let me wander away from your commands (Psalm 119:10).

We are taking time in the middle of this summer to do some personal inventory; not counting our possessions, but exploring how our hearts are doing. Our launching point is God\u2019s first description of David, \u2018a man after my own heart.\u2019 We are wondering what that might mean and how our hearts might align with God\u2019s own heart. Last time we looked at David\u2019s desire to be obedient to God\u2019s law.

Many of us find Psalm 119 rather boring. It does repeat the same themes over and over. But I think we miss the point. We are not meant to learn content as much as catch the enchantment the composer has with the Word of God. It\u2019s a carefully crafted poem which oozes with delight in how God has created and ordered the world. There is nothing better for the psalmist than to follow this God. Here is an invitation to catch the joy of obedience.

If obedience is one aspect of a person after God\u2019s own heart, close on its heels is humility. The delight of the psalmist can only come from a place of willing submission to God. Such meekness is not directed primarily towards people, but is an attitude with which we approach God. In our reflections on obedience it was mentioned that David waited for God to put him on the throne of Israel. He would not claim it by force or as his right.

This was an act of humility towards God. Today, let\u2019s mention three other occasions where this kind of humility is highlighted. In 1 Samuel 25 David is slighted by Nabal and sets out to get vengeance. On the way, he is intercepted by Nabal\u2019s wife who begs her husband\u2019s pardon. David recognizes that God has sent her to keep him from doing wrong and he let\u2019s go of his desire for vengeance.

Then there is the sordid tale of David sleeping with Uriah\u2019s wife and having Uriah killed to cover it up. In 2 Samuel 12 the Lord sends Nathan to confront David regarding this sin. David\u2019s response? \u201cI have sinned against the Lord\u201d (13). Again, humility towards God. In the third story, David counts his fighting men. This displeases God, who forces him to choose which punishment Israel will endure. When David makes his choice he says, \u201cI am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great\u2026\u201d (2 Samuel 24:14).

In each case of disobedience, David responded with an admission of guilt and a turning back to the Lord. This is something that Saul was not able to do. When he was disobedient, he qualified his confession with an excuse, \u201cI was afraid of the people\u201d (1 Sam 15:24-25). Humility before the Lord acknowledges our disobedience and then turns back towards obedience.

Of course, Jesus, David\u2019s greater son, also offers us a portrait in humility. If our history is correct than one of the very first Christian songs is about Christ\u2019s humility. You will find it quoted in Philippians 2:6-11. In this song, we sing that Jesus\u2019 entire life on earth, from conception to the cross, was an act of humility.

The writer of Hebrews gives this commentary on Jesus\u2019 humility, \u201cFor we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are\u2014yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God\u2019s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need\u201d (4:15-16). Followed by, \u201cSon though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him\u201d (5:8-9).

What David already experienced, the New Testament writers say clearly, \u201cdisobedience never has to be the last word.\u201d With God there is mercy, forgiveness. We do not need to approach God with fear in our disobedience, but rather, \u201cWe enter boldly because of the blood of Jesus\u201d (Hebrews 10:19). Because of his humility, we do not have to live in the identity of disobedience, but as the children of God himself. The song that says we are daughters and sons of the King is right on the mark.

If you have wandered far from God in this COVID wilderness, turn back. Humble yourselves before him. God\u2019s mercy is great. He loves you, and wants nothing more than your face to be turned towards him.