...he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man AFTER MINE OWN HEART, which shall fulfill ALL MY WILL. Of this man’s seed hath God according to His promise raised unto Israel a savior, Jesus. Acts 13:22,23

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of the brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. I Samuel 16:13

The life of David presents one of the most intriguing and inspirational character studies in Scripture. There is great significance in the things God established and accomplished through him in his lifetime. But even more significant to us in this day is the spiritual type of Christ he foreshadowed, and lifestyle of worship God birthed in him, displaying to us God’s continuing intent for a people that would learn how to become true worshipers, worshiping in spirit and in truth.

David was a man after the HEART of God. That can mean two things: He sought God’s ways with all his heart, and his heart became fashioned after God’s heart (I pray both happen in us). The “heart” development began in David not when he was crowned king, but while he was young.

As a young boy, David ministered to the Lord. It was apparent that he was known as one skillful on the harp for he was called upon to play before Saul. As he came before Saul and played His harp, the evil spirit that troubled Saul departed (I Samuel 16); as he faced Goliath, he trusted in the name of the Lord of hosts, who once again delivered him (I Samuel 17). It is believed that Psalm 8 (and others) were quite possibly out of David’s early
Years; in particular, Psalm 8 is considered as a reflection on Goliath of Gath. It was in David’s early years that he learned how to minister to and draw upon the power of God.

Worship transcends boundaries of age, and as Jesus said in Mark 10:14 ..”suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Adults have no exclusiveness to the presence of God, and we need to encourage and welcome children and teenagers to minister to the Lord in worship. It is important that the “young in the Lord” begin to learn worship at an “early age.” Then God can mold and fashion a dwelling place in their hearts also. The worship that David learned as a YOUTH developed him to be a true MAN after the HEART OF GOD. There are no instant worshipers. We all have to learn commitment, dedication, and pursuit of righteousness, and it is by seeking with OUR whole heart, that the SPIRIT will create in us the HEART OF THE FATHER.