Bible Men: King David: The Suffering King

“but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death”  1Sa 20:3. 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psa 23:1 

David Never Walked Alone

That God was behind him in everything he encountered in life was David’s greatest belief and strength.

God was a real person to him. He was his life. Do you know a God like that? It may take time to come to that sort of acknowledgement, but when it does no one is ever left in doubt that a threshold has been crossed.

He was a shepherd boy watching over his father’s flock but always he knew there was a greater Shepherd watching over him day and night.

The wilderness didn’t just happen to be his favorite haunt, it was sent, the green pastures didn’t just sprout, nor the trickling streams, and the overcast skies, they were sent. So when he lay down at night David knew it was God who sent and God who took. Even the words which flew to his mouth at the touch of his harp were sent by God and not a human being!  

I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. Psa 3:5   

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. Psa 4:8 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psa 23:2 

The Anointing to Hardship

David got anointed to be king at childhood. God gave Abraham a dream. Rise up and leave. Abraham clutched onto that dream day and night. But he arrived in Canaan only to be sent to Egypt! He dreamt of plenty only to find a famine in the land. Had God lied?

No! Abraham believed God. He hoped against hope but the luster of his dream never faded. Why? Because he believed!

So David’s leap from the hinterland to the palace had backfired? No, David believed! Are you a believer? It pays to believe! “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb 11:6). 

God Must Be Crazy!

 This loving God. This “crazy” God. Who could give up such a “crazy” love? Moses had begged God to leave him alone once but God refused. Have you ever imagined what might’ve happened to Moses if God had listened to him?

That’s how obsessive our God can be! And who can dare lose such a God? So David knew. His troubles were merely accoutrements for his wilderness song!

Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. Psa 33:3  

I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. Psa 144:9  

It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword. Psa 144:10 

So David’s entire life was knit around worship. “For in him we live, and move, and have our being.”

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psa 23:3 

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psa 103:1-5   

Loneliness is a terrible affliction, but even that was sent. Compounded with life in the wilderness, and forever fleeing his enemies, David knew the pangs of sorrow from childhood. That had to happen so that he might know without doubt that God loved him. Do you see God in your own sorrow? “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved” (Psa 62:5-6).  

So David learnt quite early that God’s anointing is really anointing to hardship. His anointing was only a precursor to the future anointing of the suffering servant. And Jesus is a descendant of David. Beloved, have you learnt only to expect good and not evil from the Lord?

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 1Pe 4:12-13,16  

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Ps 23:4-5 

And so we believe, and so we praise! Because we judge him faithful who hath promised.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Heb 13:5-6  

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2Pe 1:3-4 

God is Patient, Gentle and Loving

And when eventually he became king David had no doubt that it was the gentleness of God which had made him thus (Ps 18:35). It is the gentleness of God which is still keeping us this day – and forever!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Psa 23:6  

 

I pray you believe that. I pray you feel really crazy about that!