My Worse Enemy is — Me
I'm always amazed of the twist and turns, ups and downs, and the raw glimpse in the life of David found in 1 Samuel. From him playing the madman before Achish, in chapter 21, to being one of his "allies" in chapter 27. And his tenderness with Abigail --- to his ruthless raids and slaughter of the original occupants of the land of Canaan.
A talented musician, a master of hiding, a skilled warrior, a clever strategist, a ruthless killer, an ugly adulterer and a very wise leader who knew how to sin big, but even more so --- he knew HOW, WHY and WHEN to repent. A man who put his full confidence upon the mercy of God... and not in his ability to do what was right.
Though he was gifted and wise and meek --- none of those qualities that he possessed was sufficient, in and of themselves, to warrant God's attention, and he knew this. As the Psalmist says on two occasions... "The Lord takes pleasure in, and places His eye upon, those who fear Him." And each time he mentions this thought, he qualifies what he means by fearing him with this phrase, "on those who hope in His mercy." (Psalm 33:18 & 147:11). To fear God is to hope in His mercy... to hope in His mercy one must trust that God is merciful. To trust God, and to trust that He is merciful, one must personally know God. And to personally know God one can't help but know He is quick to forgive our sin and abundant in mercy.
David's hope was in this God and not in himself... and if his God left him to himself, he would be nothing and without mercy in a hopeless world full of darkness, death and gloom. Therefore, he rested his life upon his merciful God and glorified His great name every single time he |
