How many and varied were the experiences of David throughout his life! Things had certainly not gone easily for him - pursued by enemies, betrayed by friends and family, dogged by the consequences of his own sinfulness!
The tale of a life can be told in so many different ways - success, failure, intrigue… But David sees his life in terms of the Divine "goodness and love" - "goodness and mercy" as the old Bible puts it.
God's "mercy" is far more than his willingness to forgive. It is his "steadfast love". He calls us to be his people and persists with us, in spite of our human unworthiness!
Of course, it is true that many things followed David through his life - but above them all was God's "goodness and love."
"What's the matter?" a mother asked. Her boy was obviously worried about something.
'Well, Mum," he began gloomily, "I'm thinking about my silkworm eggs. Spring is here, and the silkworms will soon be coming out. I have no food for them. The buds on the mulberry trees are just beginning to swell. It will be a while before the leaves for the silkworms come. I don't know what I will do."
"You don't need to worry," replied his mother. "Do you imagine God manages his world as badly as that? If the mulberry leaves aren't ready to appear yet, neither are the silkworms. Depend on it. They will come together."
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want," David had begun.
God's ample provision is always there for our need. When we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," the word "daily" means "sufficient for the day's needs" - not a stock-pile for tomorrow!
David's hope and prayer was that he might build a house for the Lord. That was not to be until the time of his son, Solomon - though David bought the piece of ground on which it would eventually be built. How striking is David's insistence, in today's reading, that his offering to the Lord must cost him something!!
No, David wouldn't build the Temple. It had earlier troubled him, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent" (2 Samuel 7.2).
But finally it wouldn't be David providing a house for the Lord, but the Lord providing a house, a place of rest, refuge and refreshment for David!
That is the marvel of God's great love. We don't deserve it. We can't earn it. Our part to receive it.
Some people have the idea that God is the great spoil-sport. The truth is that life has its deepest meaning and its truest fun in him.
| PRAYER: Eternal Father, you have guided and sustained me. You refresh and strengthen me now. My life for ever is in the safe keeping of your loving care. In you and in you alone, I have been, I am and I will be safe and secure! Hallelujah! Amen. |
Over,
around,
above,
within –
the Love of God!
Behind,
before,
and here
right now –
the Love of God!
When sick
or whole,
when sad
or glad –
the Love of God!
When sin
or fall
or weak
within –
the Love of God!
Deepest
need,
greatest
joy –
the Love of God!
From him
the breath
to live
and praise
the Love of God!