Be Exalted

King David’s life was a life in which we all can relate. David had great disappointments and great times of joy and happiness. He had inward and outward struggles, great sins and times of moral clarity and purity, He had loves and loves lost, but David recognized one constant and sure thing in his life. It was God.

When we meet David in 2 Samuel we meet him near the end of his life. He is reflecting on all that had happened to him. We often do you, especially around the New Year or around our birthday. We take time to reflect on all the things we wish had never happened and the things we wish had. But David, more so, is reflecting on the fact that through all the things he went through God was there for Him.

Many times David found himself in situations he thought he might not escape, but he thanks God here for his protection. God had been a firm foundation in his life, a rescuer in the time of dire trouble. He knew that whoever and whatever came against him that God was his refuge and stronghold.

It reminds me of the story of a mother and her little four-year-old daughter who were preparing to retire for the night. The child was afraid of the dark, and the mother, on this occasion alone with the child, felt fearful also. When the light was out, the child caught a glimpse of the moon outside the window. “Mother,” she asked, “is the moon God’s light?” “Yes,” said the mother. The next question was, “Will God put out His light and go to sleep?” The mother replied, “No, my child, God never goes to sleep.” Then out of the simplicity of a child’s faith, she said words that gave reassurance to the fearful mother, “Well, as long as God is awake, there is no sense both of us staying awake.”

It doesn’t matter if we are God’s chosen king like David or small child afraid of the dark. God is always the calm place in times of fear and perceived danger. In God we find a sure arm.

David looks back on his life and remembers how God’s power was evident in impossible situations. He remembered those times when outnumbered on all sides that God’s power was displayed in victory. David learned the truth of Jesus when he said, “Without Me ye can do nothing.”

It reminds me of the words of the Hymn “One Beside Us”

It says, “Without Me ye can do nothing.”Lord, I know, I know! “Without Me ye can do nothing”—Only a big “0.”Stand by my side, O Master, Then One and 0 become ten; Stand by me friend and we, Lord—We can be a hundred then. A little group of two or three are gathered in Thy name—it’s a hundred or a thousand if You are standing there with them. Stand by the side of each of us—

Your servants in the fight—with each new “nothing” our numbers grow and the demons of hell take fright. Ten thousand millions-myriads—An adjustment to our thinking—’Tis the One who stands beside us who brings value to our “nothings.”

David also looked back on his life and despite all that he had went through he noticed that God always provided. Whether it was food, or weapons, or a place to hide God always provided.

When I think of what God has provided for his people in Christ I too have to give God thanks. God has provided in Christ a love that can never be fathomed; A life that can never die; A righteousness that can never be tarnished; A peace that can never be understood; A rest that can never be disturbed; A joy that can never be diminished; A hope that can never be disappointed; A glory that can never be clouded; A light that can never be darkened; A happiness that can never be interrupted; A strength that can never be enfeebled; A purity that can never be defiled; A beauty that can never be marred; A wisdom that can never be baffled; And resources that can never be exhausted.

David looked back at his life and was overwhelmed by God’s justice. It was a justice that David himself experienced. When David wronged, when David sinned he felt God’s justice upon his life. David was still thankful that God held him accountable for his life and actions, because it also meant that God didn’t let those around David get away with it either. It was a justice that David saw as perfect. It overlook the sins of anyone.

In a Japanese street there was a sudden commotion. A man leaped at another one and started beating him with shrieking fury. “Confess,” he yelled. “No,” gasped his victim, “I didn’t do it!”