David was a shepherd, soldier, musician, outlaw, king, and poet. He was also an adulterer, murderer, and not so good husband and father. How was he a man after God’s own heart?

The result of faith in God is to trust Him. But when things are difficult, hard to understand, or out of our control, trusting God isn’t easy. The great danger of not trusting God is a spiritual plague that ravages lives.

Whenever God does a significant work in human history it’s through a band of totally committed people. But what does total commitment really look like?

God is faithful and keeps His covenant with those who love Him. David earned nothing. In fact, his life was vastly affected by his sin and it’s consequences. His faith, in contrast, redeemed him.

Supposedly we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with, and we become just like those we follow. This means the most important decisions we make are who we will spend time with and who we will follow.

The plot lines of old westerns pitted good guys in white hats versus bad guys in black hats. But Jesus said no one is good except God alone. So where does that leave us?

After the strife in Israel leading to the death of Absalom, civil war and the eventual return to Jerusalem of King David from exile we are at a crossroad. David’s choices can either bind the nation together in healing or  a splintering will occur. David humbly chooses forgiveness for those who have wronged him. Healing begins as pride is set aside and God is put back in his rightful place. 

Perhaps David is recalling how richly he has been blessed and how richly he himself has been forgiven by the true King, God. He chooses to be merciful and gracious to those who have wronged him.

Can we do the same in our life?

Pride is the root of all sin and rebellion and all of us are sinners. The only way to God is through humility, and without it the end can only be destruction.

How we respond to the pain of life determines everything about us. We can hang on to that pain and let it define us, or choose to give it to God and get moving.

How we respond to the pain of life determines everything about us. We can hang on to that pain and let it define us, or choose to give it to God and get moving.