David: God Embracing David, David Embracing God

We have been walking through David's life in many chapters, from his isolated childhood to his struggling years on the run from Saul's army, from his victories in battle to his defeat by his own sin in his unguarded moments, and the consequences of that sin to his life and the lives of those around him.

David's life was carved into the bedrock of scripture for a wonderful purpose, that of him responding to life's challenges, even those self created, and to learn how to overcome the trials in our own lives.

In the 31 Psalms David wrote we see clearly his greatest struggles and how the Lord became his strongest refuge. We must view David's life as a whole to see that overall he was a devoted and spiritual man, who, at times, failed in that devotion, but did indeed return to the Lord with a strength and vigor we can all use as an example for our own walk with God.

David taught us some great truths which are focused upon the fact that we do not have to become perfect to please the Lord.

You do not have to be fearless.

David was often in fear and fled to the Lord.

You do not have to have a perfect marriage.

David created many marriage problems, which he finally gave to God.

You do not have to have perfect children.

There are NO children of David which scripture says followed God.

You do not have to be in constant bliss or serenity.

David was often depressed and took his worries to the Lord.

But to please the Lord we DO have to receive grace and David's entire life was covered in it. In heartaches and joy, David's deep passion for God drew him to seek the Lord with an embracing kind of love. This lifelong embrace is our finest example of David's life and should be our lifelong habit.

“I will love thee, O Lord my strength” PS 18:1

The writer of Hebrews taught us in 11:6 that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. David did so and he made his spiritual record of that journey deeply personal:

“I will love thee O Lord my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler (shield) and the horn of my salvation, and the high tower.” PS 18:1-2

In his seeking David found God to be faithful toward him, even when he was not faithful in full trust to God. But David realized these things (sometimes with a little help from above) and became ever yearning to draw closer to the Lord.

David experienced intense loneliness at times in his last years. In Psalm 71 he wrote: “... when I am old and graybearded, O God, forsake me not …”.  In every stage of his life, God embraced David and gave him power to turn his challenges into opportunities to do His will.

What is our spiritual temperature in our own lives today? Are we still warmed by the fire of passion for Jesus and the Father, well guided by the Spirit? We must not forget what Jesus said in Rev 2:4 concerning losing that “first love”:

That first love will bring us:

• Patience

• Worship

• Thanksgiving

• Love of His person

• Love of His teachings

• Love of the knowledge that He is coming again.

David was a man after God's heart because of his long obedience in seeking the Lord, deeply desiring to embrace the One who was more than life itself to him. David lived his life (while at times creating distance and then seeking and receiving restoration) by Deut 6:5:

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might”.

We have had a great study of the life of David together. As we have walked through his life we again and again return to two themes, both of which are as true today as they were 3500 years ago:

WALKING GODLY

The Christian life resides in struggle & warfare. Chief among our enemies are the world, the flesh, and the Devil. Our ongoing battle is always with indwelling sin.

But the Holy Spirit also indwells us and is more powerful than sin. It is this Spirit that sanctifies us, and quickens and nourishes us through God's power and will.

With the Spirit providing the fruit of Grace, our hearts are kindled with the fire of the love of God and our devotion as a result.

Without the Spirit, our gifts are from a different flame that comes from 

below and it brings darkness of mind and heart that are perverse.

REPENTANCE

This is the fruit of faith and prayer. It is a lifelong process. It is NOT the start of the Christian life. It IS the Christian life.

It is both the confession of sin and the growth in holiness that comes from the confession as we seek forgiveness.

It is the lifelong response of the believer to the Gospel, in outward life, mind, heart, attitude, and will.

It is both the turning away from sin confessed and the intentional avoidance of continued sin under the power of the Spirit who is within us.

It is the dying of self and the coming alive to the righteousness of Christ and in Christ as we grasp the awesome understanding that we are purchased by Him, and we have become His children forever.