Encouragement
King David was a symbol of success: power, wealth, and fame. From him, we can learn his formula for success---be it in wealth, power, or fame.
Who was he?
David was chosen by God to reign over His people because he was a man after God's own heart.
Then he removed him (Saul) and raised up David as their king; of him he testified, "I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish." (Acts 13:22)
He attained the height of prosperity and achievement from an ordinary shepherd boy to an extraordinary king, whose memoirs have been written down in the pages of history. He was the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse.
He killed Goliath, who was six and a half feet tall, when he was a boy. Goliath was a seasoned warrior. He was far better experienced than David in combat. In fact, David neither had the training nor the experienced in combat.
But Saul answered David, "You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth." (1 sam 17:33)
He was perhaps not the strongest man (boy) in his time. There were many other soldiers stronger and more skillful in combat than him in the army of Saul.
But the LORD said to Samuel: "Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart." (1 Sam 16:7)
But he was a man (boy) of courage. He had courage founded by his faith in God.
The words that David had spoken were overheard and reported to Saul, who sent for him.)
Then David spoke to Saul: "Let your majesty not lose courage. I am at your service to go and fight this Philistine."
But Saul answered David, "You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth."
Then David told Saul: "Your servant used to tend his father's sheep, and whenever a lion or bear came to carry off a sheep from the flock, I would go after it and attack it and rescue the prey from its mouth. If it attacked me, I would seize it by the jaw, strike it, and kill it.
Your servant has killed both a lion and a bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine will be as one of them, because he has insulted the armies of the living God."
David continued: "The LORD, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will also keep me safe from the clutches of this Philistine." Saul answered David, "Go! the LORD will be with you." (1 Sam 17:31-37)
He was also bold to proclaim God. He was neither reluctant nor reserved to proclaim that He and Israel has a God. That his God is God. He made a stand for God and got insulted everytime the name of the Lord had been insulted. He was not passive with his faith; he was bold to proclaim God as God.
David answered him: "You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel that you have insulted.
Today the LORD shall deliver you into my hand; I will strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will leave your corpse and the corpses of the Philistine army for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field; thus the whole land shall learn that Israel has a God.
All this multitude, too, shall learn that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves. For the battle is the LORD'S, and he shall deliver you into our hands." (1 Sam 17:45-47)
But of course, like any other man, he also had his shortcomings and frailties.
One evening David rose from his siesta and strolled about on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful.
David had inquiries made about the woman and was told, "She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, and wife of (Joab's armor-bearer) Uriah the Hittite."
Then David sent messengers and took her. When she came to him, he had relations with her, at a time when she was just purified after her monthly period. She then returned to her house.
But the woman had conceived, and sent the information to David, "I am with child." (2 Sam.11:2-5)
The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab which he sent by Uriah. In it he directed: "Place Uriah up front, where the fighting is fierce. Then pull back and leave him to be struck down dead." (2 Sam 11:14-15)
Yes, he had them. In fact, coveting his soldier's wife and having him strategically placed in the front line to be killed in battle are two serious offenses. Despite all these, he remained to be a man after God's own heart. With his honest desire and great effort, he strived to follow God's heart; with his humanity, he failed.
But who are we to judge the mercy of God? And who are we then to know how God sees the heart of man? In fact, God made a covenant with David. This is perhaps how God rewarded David for loving Him with his whole heart in his lifetime. A reward that even David's descendants would benefit forever.
And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm.
It is he who shall build a house for my name. And I will make his royal throne firm forever.
But of course, God had also warned to discipline David's descendant to do what is right---though God's favor would always be upon them.
I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. And if he does wrong, I will correct him with the rod of men and with human chastisements; but I will not withdraw my favor from him as I withdrew it from your predecessor Saul, whom I removed from my presence.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever. ( 2 Sam 7:12-16)
He imitated all the sins his father had committed before him, and his heart was not entirely with the LORD, his God, like the heart of his grandfather David.
Yet for David's sake the LORD, his God, gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, raising up his son after him and permitting Jerusalem to endure; because David had pleased the LORD and did not disobey any of his commands as long as he lived, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite. (1 Kg.15:3-5)
Well, as I look around me, listen to different personal stories of success, and observe some successful families whom I have known---I see many other King Davids. All of these families have something in common. It is loving God and seeking Him with all of their hearts every day of their life.
This love for God, seeking after His heart, is manifested in their courage to accept every opportunity of blessing disguised as another Goliath. It is also manifested in their boldness to procliam God behind all their success: wealth, power, and fame.
You too might have your share of being a King David in your own right. Share them with us; and have them posted here in the comment.
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