Day 3

A MAN LIKE DAVID FOR KING?

"I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me." Psalm 57:2

The story of 1 Samuel 21 is not the most flattering in David's life and without the statement of Doeg to Saul about the visit to Ahimelech we might think that he had simply turned into a bandit, living by his wits. But David at this point in his life is young, inexperienced and in no way ready to take on the role of king. After the promise of his early life we are shocked to see how quickly he betrays serious flaws in his character.

Nowhere in the Bible account are these actions of David's condoned but neither are they condemned although they are obviously not in line with God's standards. The fact is that Scripture is not about perfect or ideal people. That wouldn't be much use to us! It describes vacillating, sinful men and women who have their strengths but are subject to the common weaknesses of mankind. Time and again the Bible records that God took people as they are and lifts them up and beyond their struggles, hardships and prejudices. When someone seeks to follow God they may falter, insist on going their own way at times and make all manner of mistakes but in his indescribable mercy God fulfils the promise in Romans 8:28 to them over and over again.

There is only one role model in scripture and that is Jesus Christ! All the others illustrate the possibilities of what men may become by serving His Father or His Enemy. Some are greater than others but all save Christ are sinners and totally reliant upon God for all their strength and salvation (John 5:30; 15:4,5; Ephesians 2:8-10).