Waypoints: King David

I grew up hearing stories of King David as I am sure many of you did as well. He was portrayed as the great warrior that defeated Goliath. David became the King of Israel that reigned for many years and expanded the kingdom while at the same time uniting the nation. He was a prolific song writer and musician as we can see in the Psalms. David was clearly a key figure in the history of Israel that is intended to speak into our lives today.
 
All I have previously said about David is absolutely true and is packed with lessons for our lives right now. But there is also a dark side to David. If you are not aware of this part of his life, I will just state it like this – David wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination. Part of David’s life journey includes adultery, murder and leading a conspiracy that forced others to play a part in murder. There is also a fairly large amount of evidence to indicate that he was not a very good father. Finally, David chose to take a census that explicitly disobeyed God and his motivation appears to be feeding his pride. You can read about all this in the Old Testament History Books of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles.
 
Through all the ups and downs of David we land on God’s summary of David in the New Testament book of Acts to truly understand King David.
 
“After removing Saul, he made David their king. He 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.’” [13.22]
 
Even though David needed a Savior just like us we can clearly see the desires of his heart in the Psalms he wrote.  Here are a few examples for us to consider.
 

• Humble [62.9] – Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.
• Reverent [18.3] – I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.
• Respectful [31.9] – Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.
• Trusting [27.1] – The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
• Loving [18.1] – I love you, O Lord, my strength.
• Devoted [4.7] – You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.
• Recognition [9.1] – I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.
• Faithful [23.6] – Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
• Obedient [119.34] – Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
• Repentant [25.11] – For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
  

David was passionate about obeying and serving the Lord. He undeniably did it imperfectly but God always perfectly brought David back. This is precisely what God wants to do in our lives today. David was a man of God living in grace and truth used greatly by his God.
 
In Grace and Truth,
Pastor Nick