David's Secret Can Be Our Secret, too

If Time magazine polled its readers, looking for the 950 B.C. Man of the Year, I’m pretty sure King David would have been a shoe in. 

A military man, he was handsome, clever, and brave. He had political smarts and charisma. He played an instrument well enough to be invited to perform before heads of state. The ladies swooned over him, and the men respected him. 

And did I mention he could dance? Yep, this guy had it all. Slap his handsome face on the cover and watch the papyrus rolls fly off the newsstands.

What I like most about King David, however, doesn’t have anything to do with what’s listed on his LinkedIn profile. I admire his faith. Now you’d think with a nickname like “man after God’s own heart,” (bestowed upon him by God, no less), he’d be depressingly perfect. Instead, he’s surprising ordinary.

He prays mighty prayers. Then he grumbles and complains. He lists a multitude of God’s promises. Then he wavers in doubt. He chronicles God’s faithfulness, then he acts as though God has never done anything for him.

David’s story is my story. (Minus the impressive resume.)

Perhaps it’s your story, too.

If so, we can learn from David’s faith life and apply the lessons to our own.

If you’ve spent much time in David’s songbook, the biblical book of Psalms, you’ve seen the key to David’s perseverance and faith—even when he lifts his voice in lament, he ends up praising God. This central theme runs through most of David’s psalms: Praise and remember. Praise and remember. Sometimes he switches it up. Thank and remember. Thank and remember.

Consider the psalm he composed when he brought the ark into Jerusalem:

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord! . . .

Remember his marvelous words which he has done. . .

Remember his covenant forever; the word which he commanded, for a thousand generations.

Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Declare his glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.

Give to the Lord the glory due His name.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

Like David sometimes did, I get into the greatest spiritual trouble when I focus on my circumstances instead of focusing on God. But when I turn my eyes toward God, the cloud lifts. I remember what’s true—that God is in control, and I can trust him.

If you’re struggling to make sense of the circumstances in your life, put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Take a page from David’s (song) book. Scratch out his name on Psalm 103 and insert yours. Offer it up to God, out loud or in your heart, as a statement of faith, proving that you’re choosing to walk by faith, not by sight today.

King David may qualify for Time magazine’s 950 B.C. Man of the Year, but now that we’ve gotten a glimpse of his secret to success, we can enjoy the same close walk with the Lord he did.

Psalm 103

___________(insert your name),

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

Who forgives all [my] iniquities,

Who heals all [my] diseases,

Who redeems [my] life from destruction,

Who crowns [me] with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Who satisfies [my] mouth with good things,

So that [my] youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord executes righteousness

And justice for all who are oppressed.

He made known His ways to Moses,

His acts to the children of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

He will not always strive with [me],

Nor will He keep His anger forever.

He has not dealt with [me] according to [my] sins,

Nor punished [my] according to [my] iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward [me];

As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed [my] transgressions from [me].

As a father pities his children,

So the Lord pities [me].

 For He knows [my] frame;

He remembers that [I am] dust.

As for {me, my] days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so [I] flourish.

For the wind passes over [me], and [I am] gone,

And its place remembers it no more.

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting

On [me],

And His righteousness to [my] children’s children,

To such as keep His covenant,

And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

The Lord has established His throne in heaven,

And His kingdom rules over all.

Bless the Lord, you His angels,

Who excel in strength, who do His word,

Heeding the voice of His word.

Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,

You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

Bless the Lord, all His works,

In all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

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