Psalm 51:1o
Create in me a clean heart, Oh God. And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
We went on our almost annual trip to Lancaster County. It was the best trip to to Lancaster County yet!
Of course, the highlight of the trip was our visit to ‘Sight and Sound Theaters’. As many times as I have read the story of David and his good and bad times, seeing in the theater with animals running, sets moving, the singing and dancing to emphasize certain scenes…it was over the top! Then, Goliath came out and WOW! My attention was riveted on his size, his voice and his movements! I am hoping I am tantalizing you so you will be inspired, challenged, and even convicted…I sure was! David was too!
The story of David spans his life between his teen years, all the way through to his death. We see his Challenges as he is taught to be a shepherd out in the field for days with just the sheep and other animals that want to get at the sheep! David did not sit idly by and bemoan his fate of being the ‘runt’ of the litter, youngest of 8 sons. Instead he wrote songs, we know them as Psalms, and he rehearsed them for the sheep. He learned, as he grew to become independent. He did not go home every day, so he had to fend for himself, even killing lions and bear, rather than be killed.
It was during this time that David found favor with a King that had some mental issues. David would play his harp and the king would calm down. That is how David was in earshot of the discussion about Goliath! Now this was a teen with a lot of Confidence! He expressed to the King that he would take on this ungodly Philistine! He had experience with wild animals that were after the sheep. He wanted a try at taking down the giant! We all know how that turned out! That was a Challenge he had been preparing for as he prayed, worshiped God, wrote and sang Psalms, and relied on God for everything!
David was finally recognized by Samuel as the next king of Israel, though he was anointed he was not yet appointed. Years would go by while he had the ‘on the job’ training he needed to become king. Meanwhile, he continued to play the harp in the king’s courts to sooth his soul, until- the king heard people praising David, and disregarding the king! Jealousy reared it’s ugly head in the king. He made several attempts to kill David. Well, just another Challenge for the shepherd/harpist/song writer/future king. Now he had to become a stealth as well and ran from the king to a cave.
David survived every one of the king’s attempts on his life. When the king and his son were both killed in a battle, it was time for David to take his rightful place as the King of Israel! David continued to be faithful to the Lord, and Israel. Every time there was a battle where the army had to defend Israel, David was with the men fighting right along with them He became exhausted, and worn down spiritually. This is always where the enemy of our soul finds the crack in our armor! Satan found David’s in the form of a woman, Bathsheba. These scenes were very tastefully portrayed and clearly showed those of us watching, the agony of sin! David sinned, covered it up with the murder of Bathsheba’s husband in a battle he orchestrated. He used his power as the king to ‘get away with ‘ sin! We know the Consequences of his sin. A dead son!
When he was Confronted with a ‘story’ about a lamb by the prophet Samuel, the Conviction came! “You are that man’ was the glaring exposure of David’s sin! He could not hide it, nor bear it any longer! Conviction gripped him. He made a clean Confession to his God is Psalm 51.
Why would God allow a man like David who had given in to his passion and pride be called ‘a man after God’s own heart?’ I believe it is so we could all relate to a man-a human, fallible man, and see ourselves. I know I did! Oh, I have not murdered anyone, nor have I been unfaithful to me husband. I have, however, still been guilty of doing things I know God is not pleased with. Has He rejected me? NO! He Confronts me, and Challenges me to do better and be better next time! He looks beyond my failures, fears and faults, and He sees the Cross! It reminds me of the great sacrifice that was made for me. God does not need a reminder. He sees it every day in His Son, Jesus!
Challenges, Convictions, Confrontations, Consequences, and Confessions all drive us to the Cross of Calvary!
If you can, go see this fabulous depiction of this imperfect Bible Hero. Why is he a hero? Because his example for us reminds us, we are God’s sheep and God alone is our shepherd!
Read David’s story in I Samuel and II Samuel as well as I Kings and II Kings.
David was the last of Jesse’s sons.
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