David was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22).
He was also an adulterer, a murderer, a lawbreaker, a liar, a manipulator, and a thief. Not a bad rap sheet.
He was alternately sinner and saint; a man of desire – who followed them and did things incredibly wrong and self-serving – but also a man passionately moved by the Creator and His Creation. David seemed to understand grace, hope, and mercy better than most people of his time, probably because he required so much grace, hope, and mercy himself.
No one’s perfect. We all have flaws.
David shows us that God never looks for perfection. He looks for people who want to be with Him, like Him, and ultimately live in His perfection.
In Psalm 42, David describes his desire for God. This is such a perfect example of why David moved God’s heart. The rest of Psalm 42 is also a cry for help in David’s despair, and a declaration of hope for the future. It reads like a man wrestling with the reality of his humanity in light of his confidence in God’s great grace, mercy, and love.
Today, may you understand that the God of Creation is not deterred by your perceived failings. He’s only interested in your confidence that He can help make it right. You are not finished. Your past does not disqualify you from being a thriving part of God’s kingdom. In fact, it may benefit you in helping those who struggle as you do.
Today, the future is wide open, and so are the arms of the One who holds that very future. Run into those arms, forgetting the things that are behind. Press toward your Heavenly Father. Be safe in His arms. You are not done, for you will yet praise Him!
Pray this with me: God, give us a heart like David — passionate, yet pointed directly to You!
Take a moment and read Psalm 42:1-11. Let it sink into your heart, mind, and soul.
Then, tell us below, what does this passage in Psalm say to you?
Desire God Like David Did
