David’s deepest desire – perpetually – was for conformity to the will of God. A man of passion, he fell into dark deeds of crime; yet, through all the long process of punishment, through the sin of his children and the breaking of his heart in consequence, he never murmured against the stroke of God, but in perfect confidence in God’s mercy, and unceasing conformity of desire after God's will, David endured.
That attitude created the Divine opportunity.
Over a man who had a conception of His supremacy, God was able to exercise His sovereignty, taking David up, setting him upon the throne, and leading him in the administration of his kingdom. Thus, all the forces of God are seen operating in the life of a man in right attitude toward Him, and so this man became the instrument of God through whom He accomplished His wider purpose. How I thank God that it was written of David in 1 Samuel 13:14:
“He [David] was a man after God’s Own heart.”
There are men in the Bible of whom had it been written, it could never have helped me as it does when I see it written of David – a man who did so fall and fail and stoop to sin. A thousand times “No”! Because it excuses sin? No! But because it shows me that God’s measurement of a man, and God’s ability to deal with a man, depend upon the deepest aspiration in that man’s heart; and that God takes the measurement of a man by what He wills to be and not by the faltering and failing of the moment.
It was David who wrote in Psalm 138:8:
“The LORD will perfect that which concerns me.”
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