Today's text from the ESV Study Bible: 2 Samuel 22-23, and Psalm 57.
As we approach the end of David's life, I found myself in a prolonged meditation of his life trying to put together the many complicated pieces.
I remember the "sweet psalmist of Israel", and in contrast the king who murders Bathsheba's husband Uriah.
I remember the terrified boy running from Saul's spear, to the victorious man who pulled together the nation of Israel.
It seems that David had a more difficult time in his personal life than he did in the affairs of Israel.
However, his personal life clearly spills over to the affairs of Israel, as we saw with his son Absalom's traitorous behavior.
As I contemplate David's life, and subsequently reflect on my own life, my nature is surprised by David's confidence in God's acceptance of him in spite of his many shortcomings. My nature tends to be convinced that one might be disqualified of God's love when our behavior passes a certain unwritten threshold.
Yet, clearly David availed himself of God's sacrificial system, had his sins covered, and was able to continually place his complete faith in God's mercy, forgiveness, and faithfulness.
Furthermore, we see in David a foreshadowing of a coming King who will not have these fallen shortcomings, who will demonstrate what a perfect King looks like, and One who will once and for all create the path of a righteousness that leads to an eternal relationship with Yahweh.
Theologians teach us that the Old Testament all points to Messiah. As we are currently back here with Israel's second fallen king, do you find yourself longing for Messiah?
In spite of all of David's human failings (and ours), we can certainly rejoice in his right heart:
“The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation,
48 the God who gave me vengeance
and brought down peoples under me,
49 who brought me out from my enemies;
you exalted me above those who rose against me;
you delivered me from men of violence.
50 “For
this I will praise you, O Lord, among
the nations,
and sing praises to your name.
51 Great
salvation he brings to his king,
and shows steadfast love to his
anointed,
to David and his offspring forever.”
(2 Samuel 22:47-51)
My Rock, my God, and my Salvation. For this too, O Lord, we also praise you.
