Psalms 51:10 – Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

David is known to be one of the greatest kings of all time, yet his life was riddled with questionable ethics. From his birth to his deathbed, the life of David was full of controversy. A shepherd, yet a warrior. A king, yet an adulterer. A man who was after God’s own heart, yet unfit to build His temple. The life of David was dichotomous and full of opposing elements. As time goes on, Jesus comes to earth in the form of a baby, and He is referred to as the “Son of David” by a blind man. Although David and Jesus have the same lineage, couldn’t Jesus have been considered to be the son of someone else? Why David?

David was a skilled man of war, and he had many known victories. Whether it was fighting a giant or a lion, David exhibited the might of God in battle. As much as he was an agile warrior, his whole life was a testament to the mercies of God. He knew that everything that he had attained in life was a result of God’s grace. He did not deserve the throne, but, because of his heart for God, the Lord honored him. David was one who also used his power and influence to see who he could uplift. His position did not make him hungry for more power; he knew how to humble himself before God. Jesus being called, “son of David”, is not a mere genealogical record. Jesus carries the same attribute of being One who uplifts those who are down-trodden. Although Jesus is a King, He is not so removed from the plight of man that He can not feel our pain when we cry out. He is compassionate because He knows what it feels like to have the odds against you. Like David, Jesus knew what it meant to be born out of controversial circumstances. He graciously makes Himself available to even the weakest of us.

If we recognize that our lives are at the mercy of God, we will embrace humility. All of us fall short of the glory of God, no matter what level of success we think we may have obtained. Let us be compassionate and endeavor to uplift those who are struggling. Seek to show them honor and support. By this, you express the true, genuine love of Christ.

The Bible never hides the challenges or flaws of David, but shows us the conduct of a man that, in the midst of his failures, always returned to God. He was strong to face Goliath, but weak to face his own son. Brave for many, but fearful to assume the consequences of his mistakes. He won wars, but many times couldn’t deal with himself.