Who was David?

David lived around 1000 BC. He reigned for forty years as king over the tribes of Israel, building the Jewish city of Jerusalem, and settling the ark of the covenant into the tabernacle there.

David was also . . .

a boy who was the least of his brothers, so small and insignificant that he didn’t even get invited to a family feast when the prophet Samuel came to visit (1 Samuel 16)

a shepherd- the lowliest of jobs- often given to the baby brother (1 Samuel 16:11)

a young man who ran for his life for ten years despite being God’s chosen king (1 Samuel 18-31)

a musician (1 Samuel 16:18)

a leader of men (1 Samuel 18:5)

a warrior so revered that songs were sung about him (1 Samuel 18:7)

a father betrayed by his grown son (2 Samuel 15)

a man grieving the loss of two children (2 Samuel 12:15-20; 2 Samuel 18:33)

an adulterer and murderer (2 Samuel 11)

a man after God’s own heart.

But now [Saul] your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you [Saul] have not kept the LORD's command.
1 Samuel 13:14

After removing Saul, he made David their king. God 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."
Acts 13:22

David loved the Lord. He spent his life trying to please God. Yet, he was just a man, and his sins are big and plastered on the pages of the Old Testament. Why? What can his life- his joy, his pain, his mistakes, his triumphs- teach you and me?

Over the next few days, I will share four things that David’s relationship with God, as recorded in the psalms, taught me.

1

Keep a prayer journal. David did.

The psalms are like David’s journal of prayers. His worries, his fears, his complaints, and his joys cover the pages of well over seventy songs, and many of the unnamed psalms are attributed to him as well. While the events of David’s life are recorded in the books of Samuel and Chronicles, the joys and pains of his heart are preserved in the psalms. David loved the Lord. He needed the Lord. He longed for the Lord.

And he wrote about it! Or possibly he dictated the words to a scribe who wrote it down for him. But either way, when we read David’s psalms today, we can feel his praise and thanksgiving,

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2

We can feel his pain, worry, and fear,

How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
Psalm 13:1

He expressed his anger at those around him, those who turned their backs on the Lord, and those who persecuted him. These psalms can be hard for New Testament believers to read. But David is journaling his prayers to God, his frustrations, his anger, his complaints. None of those feelings are wrong, and who better to go to with them than the Creator of heaven and earth.

May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
Psalm 40:14

David writes of his sin and shame,

LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me.
Psalm 38:1-2

May we be like David. Rather than fearing and worrying alone . . . rather than gossiping about our neighbor or coworker . . . rather than exploding with anger upon someone who has hurt us, may we FIRST turn to the Lord. All feelings are okay. We know this. God understands them; He sent Jesus who experienced the same feelings. But how we choose to handle our feelings is what we will be held accountable for.

So, go to the One who understands first and allow His love and mercy to calm your heart and mind to think clearly and to respond in the way He calls you to.

God wants to hear it. All of it. David’s prayer journals are proof of that fact.

Are you lonely? Afraid? Angry? Filled with shame? Are you hurting?

Tell God about it. Write it down in a journal, so that someday you can look back and see how God brought you through to the other side.

He will. He is faithful.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way that I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, LORD, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Psalm 143:8-10

Heidi xoxo