• Learning From Their Life: King David

    By: Kristen L. McNulty

    Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.

    This week is the first in a new series we are doing as part of our Impact Devotionals, where we shine the spotlight on the life of a believer in the Bible and try to learn from their lives. Both the high points and the low points, both the struggles and the triumphs. This week we're examining the life of King David.

    If we think of King David, the battle of David versus Goliath is probably what first comes to mind for most of us, but David's life is more than what occured on the battlefield that day. King David is one of the most prominent figures in the Old Testament and for good reason. Despite his flaws and mistakes, David was called a man after God's own heart and his faithfulness can serve as an example for us to follow and his mistakes can serve as a caution for us to take heed of.

    So what are some lessons we can learn from David?

    LESSON ONE: TRUSTING IN GOD IN DIFFICULT TIMES


    First of all, we can learn from David the importance of trusting God during difficult times. While we can have the misconception that David lived the high life as a King, that couldn't be further from the truth. With all the benefits that came with a crown, David also faced a very difficult life with many trials and difficulties. He faced betrayal, had his life threatened and had to live in hiding, he lost loved ones, had to deal with a rebellious son, the list goes on and on. But throughout all of the trials, David does not allow them to shake his faith in God. Instead of running from God during the tough times, the Psalms show us how David brought his pain and questions and doubts to God and still choose to trust Him through any storm. In Psalm 23 David writes "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me." Let's not forget that David spoke with experience and knew that no matter what, God could be trusted and is always by our side.

    LESSON TWO: RISING AFTER FALLING


    While David had a very strong faith in God and was called a man after God's own heart, that didn't remove temptation and sin from his life. Which is where we find the second lesson we can learn from David, what it means to fall, but refuse to stay down and instead pursue forgiveness and repentance. David lusted after another man's wife, committed adultery with her and then to cover up his sin, he had her husband murdered on the battlefield. Those are some pretty big sins, but when David was confronted with his sin by the prophet Nathan, he didn't try to make excuses or justify his actions (2 Samuel 12). Instead David confessed his sin and was assured by Nathan that although there would be consequences for his actions, that God had forgiven him.

    While David could have let this series of sins turn into a lifetime of them, he instead put a stop to sliding further into sin and disobedience. An example we all would do well to follow when we too fall in sin. With God's help we can get up and put our feet on a new path away from sin and the destruction that it brings. Let us have the same mindset and heart that David had when in Psalm 51 he writes, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

    LESSON THREE: LEARNING TO WAIT WELL


    One significant lesson we can also learn from David is what it means to wait well on God. When David was a young boy he was recognized and anointed as the future king, but had to wait many years before he actually became king. During those years, as discussed, David trusted in God and remained faithful throughout the trails. But the big lesson comes in what David did with his time while he waited. He didn't just sit idly by, instead he let God use his gifts as a musician and poet in the meantime. To the point where he even would play for the current king of the nation. Imagine that. You are told you are going to be king of the land, but instead of waiting in the palace, you wait in the fields tending to a flock of sheep. Then when you are finally summoned to the place of power at the king's side, it isn't to reign, but instead play your instrument like a common servant. It would have been a very humbling position to be in, but David did it and as far as we can tell in scripture, he didn't grumble or complain about God's timing. Instead in Psalm 27 David writes, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." David knew that God had a plan for his life, and he trusted in Him to bring it to fruition in His perfect timing.

    "But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.' And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel!" Acts 13:22-23


    There's a lot we can learn from the life of David, but don't just take my word for it. This week I invite you to dive into scripture to read more about his life and find your own lessons you can learn from it. Then join me again next week for our next Impact Devotional where we will highlight the life of another God-follower in the Bible.

    Return To The Impact Devotional Archive