2. Little Johnny misbehaved, so Mom sent him to his room. A little while later he came out and said, “Mom, I’ve been thinking about what I did and I said a prayer- can I come out now?” His mother was internally thrilled and said encouragingly, “That’s wonderful. If you ask God to help make you a better boy, I know He will.” “But I didn’t ask Him to make me better,” the youngster replied, “I ask Him to help you put up with me!”

3. Do we sometimes have that same attitude with God? zExpecting Him to love and accept us “just as we are”? zWithout us having to change anything about ourselves? zOr bring our lives into conformity to what we acknowledge His Will to be? zTo just let us “be who we are” (or who we want to be) and still bless & save us? What blatant selfishness & rebellion!

4. Think about King David: zHere was a man, in his sin with Bathsheba, who: -lusted -committed adultery -lied -and ultimately murdered a man. zHow could such a man as this be one “After God’s own heart?” 1Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22

5. How did David react to his sin? zHe did everything he could to conceal his sin. zBut Nathan forced him to really look at what he had done, 2Samuel 12:1-12. zOh how everyone needs a “Nathan” from time to time! zHow did David reply to the charges of sin? “I have sinned against the Lord.” 2Samuel 12:13 Against Bathsheba? Against Uriah? Against his Army & Joab? Against the People? “Yes,” but they weren’t his Accuser or Judge!

6. So what makes David different from “Johnny”? z“Johnny” denied his culpability and wanted “Mom” to change; to accept him as he was. zDavid acknowledged his sin and knew he had to change to be right with God. But there’s more to this story...

7. Note also David’s prayer regarding this part of his life. zIt’s found in Psalm 51. zNote a few things in the prayer that highlight what it takes to be a “Man after God’s Heart”: >He asked for Mercy, v.1 >He Acknowledged his Sin, vv.2-6 >He asked for Purification, vv.7-10 >He asked for Restoration, vv.8-12 >He vowed Future Faithfulness, vv.13-17 &>He sought Favor for the Cause, vv.18-19

8. These things will make any/all of us Men & Women after God’s Own Heart!