Are you truly honest with God? Or do you approach God like you approach your friends and family? "Things are going great right now. Couldn't be better." When actually things could be a lot better. When is the last time you responded to a friend's greeting with, "Actually, things sure have been rough this week?" How about God? When is the last time you really told him how you felt?

David was considered by God a man after his own heart (Acts 13:22). Why was David a man after God's own heart? It wasn't because he was perfect. Why was David different?

David was honest with God. He really told God how he felt. There was no facade in his prayer life. He did not carry a fake attitude into worship so that he could look good. He was open and honest with God.

Have you ever felt abandoned by the Lord? David did, and he told the Lord how he felt:

"I say to God my Rock, 'Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?' My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, 'Where is your God?'" (Psalms 42:9-10).

Even when David was angry with others, he expressed it to the Lord:

"Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; tear out, O LORD, the fangs of the lions! Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows be blunted. Like a slug melting away as it moves along, like a stillborn child, may they not see the sun. Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns--whether they be green or dry--the wicked will be swept away" (Psalms 58:6-9).

When David was in difficult situations, he told God about his despair:

"My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me" (Psalms 55:4-5).

"Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground" (Psalms 44:24-25).

David also worshipped the Lord:

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" (Psalms 42:1-2).

David was a man after Gods own heart, because he was open and honest with God. David expressed all of his true emotions to God, not just the pleasant ones. God was friend David could confide in--a friend who he could share all things with.

Today, I encourage you to be transparent before God. He already knows everything. Why not get it all "out on the table" and ask him to help you work through those issues that may be holding you back. Let your Father shine his light on the dark areas of your soul. He will open your heart to a new peace and new freedom that only comes by being honest with God.

Blessings!

Russell

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|  Russell Pond     <><
|  Season of Peace
|  email:  ponder@season.org
|  web:    http://www.season.org

© Russell Pond 1999
Reprinted with permission