Bible Reading: Psalm 51, Revelation: 8:1-13
“Cast me not away from thy presence; and renew a right spirit within me” Psalm 51:11(KJV).
The above verse of scriptures is a cry from a heart that longs for God. It reveals a man who sincerely and passionately craves for an intimacy with God. It depicts the character of someone who completely rely on God for his existence. It is a picture of a man who has surrendered wholeheartedly to the servanthood of God. We can see a reflection of his craving heart in verse 10: “create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me.” His yearning for divine intimacy and fatherhood is reflected in all his writing throughout the book of Psalm.
David was a man after God’s heart. From his experiences as a shepherd boy God prepared him for the Kingship that was entrusted on him. He witnessed the love and intimacy of the sheep to the shepherd and consequently adopted it in his dealing with God, hence he wrote; “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want, He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters” – (Psalm 23: 1-2).
David was a man after God’s heart, he knew how to reach God. He was an intimate child of God who never wished to leave God’s presence. His panting for God knows no rival among mortal men in the scriptures. Even when he erred, his approach back to regain God’s love is unrivalled. He is the picture of a genuine thirst and hunger for God. In Psalm 42:1-2(KJV), he poured out that yearning when he said: “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the Living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” What a great craving and longing.
The secret of the great successes of King David is traceable to his yearning, thirst and longing for God, which resulted in his holy fear and reverence for God. Just as King David developed so much longing for God, God also drew near to him. Among all bible characters, David was the one that consulted God the most to find out God’s position for every situation. God is love and those who claim to know him must practice love. David ruled like a shepherd over Israel. Hear this wonderful shepherd boy-King extol God in Psalm 63:1-2(KJV): “O God thou art my God, early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary? Why?????? See verse 3 “Because thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.” Truly King David belong to a class of his own in the worship and praise to God. It is my heart hunger and desire to have this longing, panting and yearning heart for my God. Actually God’s loving kindness is better than life. God’s love brought us salvation which by far surpasses this earthly life, having adopted us into God’s family. We have been infused with divine life via redemption. “………….I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”. John 10:10b(KJV).
My dear reader nothing can be as wonderful as being called the son of the most High God. Think about it!!!
Prayer: Father, endow me with a craving heart like that of King David.
Brother Joel Ezeugo