Tag: King David

  • Sinner and Saint – The Dual Nature of King David

    Create in me a clean heart - a man washing his hands in a stream. Sinner and saint - we are both

    King David is often referred to as being a man after God’s own heart. Even the Bible says so in 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22. If you know anything about David, that’s a remarkable statement. He was an incredible sinner and a stalwart saint. 

    David was a weak father, a murderer, an adulterer and more. I don’t imagine that there’s a sin he didn’t commit. He could be violent and ruthless, even one of his own sons turned and tried to kill him at one point. 

    If you had to make a list of Bible characters who acted the least like God, you would likely add David. David was a champion for God, but he was also a world-class sinner. 

    Yet at times, David, as both a boy and later a man, stood strongly for God against impossible odds. It was clear he loved the LORD and had faith.

    David the sinner understood that he was a sinner and made no excuses for it. He understood His sin was always against God. 

    David, the saint, knew his only hope was in God’s grace and mercy. 

    In Psalm 51, his cries to the Lord show his heart. He knew that there was no redemption apart from God. 

    Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the abundance of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. And cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and pure when You judge. Psalm 51:1-4 

    Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:10-11 

    Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. Psalm 51:14

    The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:17 

    If we are honest with ourselves, we are no less sinners than David. There may be things he did that we haven’t actually done, but we’ve harbored them in our hearts. That’s sin as well. 

    We need to stop making excuses. We would do well to throw ourselves on the grace of God, the forgiveness of sins that was bought by the blood and death of Jesus. 

    It would do us good to meditate on Psalm 51 and take it to heart. It would make an excellent model for a prayer of repentance.

    He loved us when we were still His enemies. He loves us now despite our rebellion. Although, because of the imputed righteousness of Christ, we are now reconciled.

    David had never heard the name of Jesus, but He knew God alone, by His mercy alone, could save Him. David understood his need for grace

    Praise God that He remains faithful and merciful despite our unfaithfulness.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

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    SUMMARY

    David was both a great sinner and a faithful servant of God, yet Scripture calls him a man after God’s own heart because he genuinely repented and depended completely on God’s mercy and grace. Psalm 51 reveals David’s broken and contrite heart, reminding believers that forgiveness and restoration come only through the mercy of God and ultimately through Jesus Christ.

    KEY POINTS

    David’s life shows that even those who deeply fail can find forgiveness through sincere repentance and faith in God.

    Psalm 51 serves as a powerful model of confession, humility, and dependence on God’s cleansing grace.

    Believers should stop excusing sin and instead rest in the mercy, forgiveness, and righteousness provided by Christ.

  • Constant Companions

    Don’t leave home without them

    Pocket survival kit , Gleanings From the Word

    Charlie was an old-timer who had spent many years in the bush. I say was because 50 years ago, back in the days when I knew him, he seemed to be ancient. I cannot imagine him still living.

    Charlie was a crusty old curmudgeon of a character. He could out walk, outtalk, out fight, out cuss and outwork just about everyone he ever met. He could build a fire out of almost nothing, and his skills as a fisherman and hunter were the stuff of legend.

    Someone told me that there had once been a Mrs. Charlie, but he never mentioned her to the best of my recollection. It was the sort of thing you did not ask him about. If you wanted tall tales or practical advice about survival in the bush, he would gladly talk about those topics. Anything more personal was off-limits.

    Charlie had been a hunter, fisherman, trapper, logger, and prospector at various times. His multiple occupations usually kept him miles from civilization, often on his own. Over the years, there were many occasions where Charlie had to depend on his wits and survival skills to survive.

    Charlie had walked away from more than one bush plane crash. He had walked more than 200 miles through the virgin forest after a lightning bolt had left him without a usable canoe.

    There were several things Charlie never left home without. Charlie carried a roll of brass snare wire, a sharp pocketknife and a hunting knife in a sheath on his belt. In his pockets were a couple of bandannas, numerous boxes of waterproof matches, a small candle and a compass. He kept some fishing line, flies, and simple hooks in an old breath mint can. Lastly, he carried a battered, old Winchester, lever action .22 with at least a box of ammunition.

    There was always plenty of gear besides those things, but Charlie told me that he felt naked in the bush without those constant companions. He believed in being prepared, and it had been the difference between life and death for him more than once.

    I feel that Charlie and King David would have gotten along well. David knew what it was like to be out there on his own for long periods. They would have differed in one area. I do not remember Charlie ever once mentioning the Lord unless it was as an expletive.

    David travelled with constant companions as well. He had a sling, a staff and undoubtedly a knife of some form. 

    King David also had an even more powerful companion. David seldom travelled very far without keeping the Lord close at hand. There were times when David drifted, but he always found the Lord close at hand when he looked for Him.

    There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,

    nor are there any works like yours.

    All the nations you have made shall come

    and worship before you, O Lord,

    and shall glorify your name.

    For you are great and do wondrous things;

    you alone are God.

    Teach me your way, O Lord,

    that I may walk in your truth;

    unite my heart to fear your name.

    I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,

    and I will glorify your name forever.

    For great is your love toward me;

    you have delivered me from the depths,

    from the realm of the dead. Psalm 86:8-13

    The best companion you can have on any journey is the Lord. Until next time, make sure He goes with you.

    Kevin.

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