“After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’”
—Acts 13:22 NIV

The Bible calls David a man after God’s own heart.

He was also a man who had an affair with a woman and murdered her husband to cover it up.

How can both be true?

Because having a relationship with the Lord has never depended on our perfection but simply on his amazing grace.

The sacrifice God seeks is “a broken and contrite heart” (Ps. 51:17 ESV). When confronted with his sin, David repented and humbled himself before the Lord.

It is important to note that God did not excuse the horrible things that David did. His actions “greatly displeased” the Lord and led to serious consequences (see 2 Sam. 11:27).

But his mistakes didn’t disqualify him from being part of God’s story.

The Imperfect Nativity is such good news because it shows us that Jesus is God-with-us in our very worst moments.

No one is too far gone to be included in the story that God is writing.

Here’s a short prayer to carry with you today:

Breathe in: God of David,
Breathe out: Thank you for forgiving me.