From today’s reading in Tyndale’s One Year Chronological Bible dated 5/9:

In the beginning of this story, during the Creation Era, the Lord spoke everything into existence from nothing (Genesis 1:1-2:3). God’s word is powerful, and David knows the power behind the voice of the Lord as he writes in Psalm 29:

• “The voice of the Lord is over the waters”
• “The voice of the Lord is powerful”
• “The voice of the Lord is full of majesty”
• “The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars”
• “The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire” 
• “The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness”
• “The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth”
• “The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, and the Lord sits as King forever. The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.”

David’s life wasn’t easy. He knew rejection, betrayal, humiliation, and loss. As a boy David wasn’t even considered in the line up for king by his own father. His older brother dismisses him right before he takes down Goliath. Saul, out of jealousy, chases David for years trying to kill him. His best friend, Jonathan, dies in battle. He loses his infant child with Bathsheba as a result of his own sin. His grown children have severe brokenness; Amnon raped Tamar, and Absalom killed Amnon. He was betrayed by his own men, including his own son, Absalom, who slept with his concubines in public, tried to take the kingdom from David, and was murdered by David’s men. He was constantly at war against his enemies – so much so that the Lord would not allow him to build His house, as David’s heart desired, due to the amount of blood on David’s hands. Yet, spite of all of that, David had joy! How is that possible?! 

David knows the strength of the Lord and the power of His Word. Therefore, David can rejoice and rest knowing that God is sovereign over all. So even through David’s own personal failures or through attacks against him which were outside of his control, David always found comfort in the Lord knowing that the pain on this side of heaven is fleeting, but the goodness of the Lord last forever:

• “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
• “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:13-14)
• “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.” (Psalm 28:7)
• “Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:4-5)
• “Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!” (Psalm 31:19)

David’s life was far from perfect, but his response in times of distress is what set David apart. David kept his eyes on the Lord, His goodness, and His promises. Keep reading because the Lord’s best promise, our Savior Jesus Christ, is on the way! (Psalm 27-32)