Vol III: #8 Hero David
King David was 30 years old when he ascended to the thrown over all Israel and Judah. While this seems like a wunderkind promotion, it was anything but. David, like Saul, went from tending to livestock, to warrior, to politician and family man. The key difference is David had a heart after the Lord and did not lean on himself to bring about God’s promises.
Consider this: David was the youngest son of Jesse, a shepherd. He won a great battle vs the Philistine champion Goliath. From there, he won the favor of King Saul. Then, he lost the favor of King Saul. Then, he ran and hid from King Saul, for years. Ultimately, he settled among the Philistines to protect himself. And after Saul fell, he became king…of Judah. And only after a civil war, the death of Abner, and reunification of all Israel and Judah, did David become King. What a trial and journey for a man with absolutely no idea on how to be king.
After reading about David, I see more of his admirable qualities. For starters, and I’ll defend this to my death, David was a man of peace. When he had to fight, he was fierce. But, he did not joyfully reach for the sword when faced with an enemy or opposition. Secondly, David refused to cross the word of the Lord. I’m sure he thought Saul was an asshole, but he was the Lord’s asshole. Thusly, David exhibited amazing patience. The last quality I admire about David is his integrity. Years after Saul’s death, David honored his children as he said he would.
None of what David did is beyond my reach. And ,what I want to emulate most is how I trust the Lord and honor the Lord’s servants- whether they deserved it or not. I spent years of my life in a state of anger toward church leaders (and almost any leader in my life.) What a waste of time and energy! I didn’t see the opportunity presented to me. It’s an honor to cover people in their trespasses and mistakes. Truly. That’s what love is. Without forgiveness, grace, honor, and patience, the body of Christ is nothing more than superstitious rule keepers. But, the true power and glory we possess is the ability to fight through all the snares and traps set before us, to love the one who belittles or bullies us, and hold onto the promises and word of the Lord.
In some ways, I consider the ability to love a far greater miracle than any healing or sign or wonder. And David, years before Jesus, loved. He loved the Lord. He loved himself. He loved his friends and family. And…he loved his enemies. What the Lord did through David was only possible because David choose the Way of the Lord, not revenge or self-righteous promotion. Never once, before he was King, did David promote himself or try to claim the thrown. He trusted the Lord and let events work themselves out.
The Lord has made some big promises to me and (here and now) I’m committed to handing those promises back to the Lord, for Him to fulfill. Whether they take five years or forty, I know He will do what He said He would do. That’s my God, the God of Abraham, David, and Nik.
