Character - Looking at the Heart

By Greg Shepherd

Greg Shepherd is the musicians’ leader and a worship leader and songwriter at New Community church in Sidcup, UK. He has been playing guitar in worship for over twenty years, and has led the music team for fifteen years.

‘The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’ (1 Sam. 16:7).

As we look for Biblical role models in the area of worship David is the obvious candidate. He was certainly extraordinarily gifted. He played anointed music that soothed Saul’s troubled spirit, and led the people of God in worship as he restored the Ark of the Covenant to them. He established a large group of musicians and presided over a creative period in which worship and song writing flourished. He was such a good songwriter that we still sing the words of his songs three thousands years later!

Yet the Biblical portrait of David does not commence with his gifting. Just before David comes on the scene, God defines the criteria by which David, and all of us, are evaluated by Him, when He says to Samuel that He looks upon the heart.

‘Character is more important than gifting’ is a view that virtually all of us would agree with. Yet in the area of music and worship leading it can be tempting to concentrate on the latter! An individual’s musical gifting and ability to lead people in worship can shine out in such a way that we can give gifted people ministry opportunities, based solely on their talents. If we do this we will encounter difficulties in the long term.

The first book of Samuel shows the problems that arise when someone leads God’s people through natural abilities alone. In his outward appearance, Saul appeared a good choice as king. He was ‘a head taller than any of the others’ (1 Sam. 10:23), and led Israel successfully in military campaigns - he rescued the city of Jabesh (1 Sam. 11), defeated the Philistines near Gibeath (1 Sam. 14:15-23), and won a devastating victory over the Amalekites (1 Sam. 15). Yet, the Bible shows us that, despite this outward appearance, his spiritual life was in poor condition! The pressures of leadership caused him to lose patience and offer sacrifices before Samuel arrives (1 Sam. 13:8-10). He made a rash commitment that nearly leads to his son being put to death (1 Sam. 14:4-45). In 1 Samuel 15 he disobeys the Lord’s instructions and also erects a monument to his own honour. Ministry based on gifting that is not supported by a solid foundation of godly character can collapse under the pressures that leaders inevitably encounter.

Let’s imagine that in a church there is a very gifted musician playing guitar and leading worship in a small group. His or her gifting is evident to all. Character issues are lurking beneath the surface; however, these have not previously emerged because there were no substantive pressures in this small setting. Due to their gifting they are asked to play in a large meeting, in a band led by someone else. Instantly they face additional pressures:

• Submitting to someone else – another’s overall leadership, including song selections, and arrangements.

• Fitting in with other musicians – playing in a band means that we can’t do our own thing, we have to listen out for others and play in a way that will benefit the overall sound, not showcase our own instrument.

• ‘Event pressure’ – everyone is keyed up for the big occasion, but the setting is unfamiliar. There may be PA problems – perhaps the musician can’t hear himself/herself that well.

It is in environments such as these that we see people’s true characters – not when they can do everything their own way, with few external constraints! If the foundations aren’t right, cracks begin to emerge when pressure comes! Sometimes for the first few occasions in such a setting the individual is on their ‘best behaviour’ and there are no problems! But if there are character weaknesses, these will eventually become evident.

I am not for a moment suggesting that gifting is unimportant. David was able to lead Israel in battle because he was a mighty warrior; his songs were used by the Israelites because they were inspired compositions. David himself recognised talent in his worship team: 1 Chronicles 15:22 says that ‘Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skilful at it.’ We are unlikely to take our congregations to the heights of worship if our singers are out of tune! But it is dangerous if we do not balance our assessment of the gifting of musicians and worship leaders with an evaluation of their character.

What lessons can we learn from David as our Biblical role model as a godly musician, worship leader and songwriter? 1 Samuel 17, the first chapter where David plays a leading role, tells us much about his character.

A godly man

David came as a servant (v17-19)
David’s appearance at the battlefield did not arise from a motivation to be the people’s champion. He was merely running an errand for his father, Jesse, to take provisions to his brothers. He arrived on the scene as a servant, and ended up serving God’s people in a way that he did not expect, as their leader and champion.

If our motivation in worship is to seek glory for ourselves it is unlikely that we will find long-term success. Whilst God uses people with mixed motives (otherwise no one would ever be used by Him!), He ‘opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble’ (James 4:6).

David was passionate about the kingdom advancing (v26)
David is naturally interested in the reward that will be given to the successful champion, but his overriding motivation is that the armies of the living God are being defied. Are we gripped with a passion to see ground taken from the enemy? This must be our desire, rather than merely to play music or to be in leadership.

David had experience - privately (v34)
When Saul challenges David about his credentials as a fighter, David replies that he has experience of fighting, albeit in a private setting. It is very important for worship leaders to gain as much private experience of worship as possible, by setting aside times to praise the Lord on their own. It is so much easier to lead others once you are familiar with leading yourself in worship.

Over the past decade, I have found spending regular times of worship on my own the single area that has most transformed my life. I have felt God envision me, speak to me, lifting my head when I’ve felt downcast, or sharing my joy when things have been going well. I believe that this has not just been rewarding for its own sake, but helps me to be comfortable in leading worship. It feels “natural” because I have been leading myself into worship.

If we’d like to lead worship but are given few opportunities it can be frustrating. If you’re in this situation, try not to be despondent. Set aside times to worship, and you will benefit from them. As we spend time with Him, we equip ourselves for future days when we are given opportunities. We are, of course, more likely to be chosen if our relationship with the Lord is developing, as others will notice the change in us. ‘For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come’ (1 Tim. 4:8).

David had sharpened his skills (v49)
David must have practised with his sling before he faced Goliath. He wasn’t just lucky! He had to be ready!

It’s important for musicians to sharpen their skills on their instruments. I try to familiarise myself with the songs I’m using in worship. If we can play through the songs without having to think too hard about the next chord we can focus more intently on the Lord. As the parable of the talents illustrates, gifting from God carries responsibility! We are stewards of our gifts, who must give an account.

David was faithful (v34-35)
David is faithfully minding the sheep in chapter 16 when Samuel arrives, and obeys his father in running the errand in the following chapter. Verses 34 to 35 of chapter 17 show that he is willing to put his own life in danger in order to protect the flock of sheep with which he has been entrusted.
Most of us are unlikely to lead worship at a major conference, but many will lead worship in small church gatherings, perhaps in someone’s home. God is looking for those who will provide faithful and passionate commitment, like David did, even when he was away from public gaze.

David was submissive
David is a role model in the area of honouring godly authority. David submitted to the authority of his father, running the errand he was charged with and looking after his father’s sheep without any hint of complaint. However, as we read through the whole story of David it is his submission to Saul that really stands out.

While David initially had reason to be thankful to Saul for giving him opportunities to show his abilities, both musically and militarily, soon the dream had become a nightmare. David's chief role became providing a target for Saul’s spear throwing practice! Yet despite this and false accusations of betrayal, David still holds an exemplary attitude of submission to Saul. Refusing a golden opportunity to kill the man who is seeking his own life, David says:

‘I will not lift my hand against my master because he is the Lord’s anointed’ (1 Sam. 24:10).

David could have taken the view that, as God had called him to be king, he could speed up the Lord’s work by killing Saul. After all, wasn’t this opportunity alone with an unsuspecting Saul given by God?
Instead, David focuses not on Saul’s abilities (manifestly lacking) or the way Saul had treated David (totally unjust) but rather his office – his God-given position as King.

When we submit ourselves to church leaders we are not doing so because of their abilities – gifted though they may be – or whether they have treated us fairly or unfairly. Rather we seek to honour the office that God has ordained and to please Him by submitting to our leadership. This does not only mean the eldership, but those to whom the eldership have delegated leadership of areas of the church. Perhaps your musicians’ leader is less gifted musically than you are. David was more gifted than Saul, yet he submitted to Saul to honour God.

David was not passive about character improvement
It can be tempting to accept wrongful attitudes and behaviours as ‘personality traits’ but this is unbiblical. While the power to change lies with the Lord alone, David knew that character transformation comes from seeking the Lord. In Psalm 86 he says:

‘Teach me your way and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name’ (v11).

He also recognises that he is not yet even aware of some of his flaws:

‘Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults’ (Psalm 19:12).

Often God reveals our ‘hidden faults’ through our interaction with other people. Sometimes it is others who point out our deficiencies – which can be hard to accept! It is largely through my involvement in church music that I have become painfully aware of my ambition, my impatience, and my irritability! The Holy Spirit shows us weaknesses in our characters not to crush us or condemn us but so that we might seek God to change us. The process of character change is lifelong and is often a painful experience, but is all part of God’s overall goal for us – for us to be like Jesus.

Ultimately, God is far more interested in whether we live godly lives than how ‘successful’ we are in our music ministries. Any ministry must be built upon a foundation of good character: character that has been refined through adversity.

The testing of a godly man
David is anointed as king in 1 Samuel 16. Shortly afterwards, he finds himself in Saul’s court, then thrust into the limelight before all the Israelite army as a clear leader of God’s people. Later he marries the king’s daughter.
There was no doubt that God had chosen him, given him leadership gifts and a true godly character. After this whirlwind beginning, surely it would be only a short time before David became king?

As we know, the story is not like this. David encounters many testing situations and does not become king until many years later. Yet God’s hand is upon him as much during his twenty years of waiting as it is on the battlefield with Goliath. David is being refined so that his character, already godly, matures.

You may feel that God’s calling is on your life and know he has chosen you to perform particular tasks. Perhaps you have already had great success in ministry opportunities you have been given. Yet the things that God has promised you have not yet materialised. In fact, the time of waiting is just as important as the time of opportunities.

David learned many things during the period of waiting that were vital to his development as a leader, for example:

• How to lead a group (1 Sam. 22:1-2)

• How to hear from God (1 Sam. 23:1-12) and how to resist pressure until he had heard from the Lord (1 Sam. 30:7-8)

• The value of true friendship (1 Sam. 23:16)

• How to resist challenges to leadership and find strength in God (1 Sam. 30:6)

• How to bring unity where there was possible division (1 Sam. 30:21-25)

When you go through a testing time and have to wait to receive what the Lord has promised you – please take heart: God is refining you, to make you the godly servant He wants you to be!

The trials and temptations David faced kept him humble and dependent upon God. It would indeed have been terrible if he had really believed that through his own strength and abilities he could ‘slay his tens of thousands’!
The story of David is ultimately not about how many great songs he wrote, his anointed musicianship or how he led the people in worship: it’s a story of one man’s intimate relationship with God. The gifting and achievements are secondary to the relationship.

Let’s keep our focus on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, rather than the ministry opportunities we may have. Let’s make sure that our evaluation of ourselves and others is based upon godly characteristics that are refined through the journey of faith rather than just gifting.

This article is an extract from After God's Own Heart by Greg Shepherd to be published by Kevin Mayhew Ltd in January 2006.
© Copyright 2006 Kevin Mayhew Ltd. Material used by kind permission of the publishers.

Character - Looking at the Heart

By Greg Shepherd

A godly man

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