My girls!


I have been thinking a lot about David over the last several days.

He was a man who made many mistakes. I can learn so much from his life, his failures, his writings, his attitudes, his love for the Lord.

He was a king, but that is not why he was 'a man after God's heart' (Acts 13:22). His appearance contributed nothing to his heart's pursuit. His failures certainly weren't the reason God viewed him with such fondness. Neither were his successes. What did he demonstrate in life that caught the Father's eye?

Few men have had someone murdered, been sexually promiscuous outside the bounds of marriage, disregarded the welfare of their family and still been held in high esteem by our Lord... let alone by us.

We quickly condemn such actions and speak of their deep levels of immorality. These people are often cast aside as 'hopeless' by our Christian community. It's not much of a leap to see why.

Yet, that very attitude reveals some of the difference between who David was, and who we sometimes seem to be.

Each of us in our own way, rebels. Some of it is overt. Some more sublimated. All 'rebellion is like witchcraft,' according to Scripture (1 Sam 15:23).

Many of us condemn those whose sins become public, and deny the wrong attitudes of our own hearts.

David was more transparent.

How many kings would dance before the Lord in their underwear (2 Sam 6:14)? How many of us would do so in public... not because it was cool, but because it was the ultimate form of revealing our humility before God?

Most of us won't even do something that makes us feel a tinge of discomfort within the body, during worship. Few of us would be so humiliated in our offering before the Lord... especially amid those who will speak judgment (as Michal did in 2 Sam 6:20).

There is nothing kingly in disrobing before your people. However, following the Lord in the obedience He calls you to, is the most Christ-like you can be.

David was a failure from a human perspective, even though he was king. He failed in some pretty major ways... but...

he pursued his Lord with humility, passion, and with a heart seeking to understand and to be understood. He had a repenting heart when failures were revealed.

How deep in sin must we be to commit some of the heinous acts he did, without realizing our mistakes until they are brought to our attention?

Sin is sin. We like to categorize them. We consider some bigger than others. To a Holy God, they do not compare... they are simply abominations that cause desolation against Him.

When we realize our sinfulness, do we humbly lay all out before Him, or do we try to hide them in the deep recesses of futility?

David rent his heart and came clean. God forgave.

He still forgives! He compels us to Him, though we might not feel worthy. His forgiveness is still ours if we call upon His name, and turn from our chosen, unfortunate path.

He is king David's Lord.

Most of the time, I look more like David than I do Jesus.

I am thankful for David's poor example in sin, but his amazing precedents of repentance!

I can learn much from him.

I can learn more from my Lord!

I praise Him, for His unquenchable love for me, though I am undeserving!

That is some Amazing Grace!


dad