Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

In my opinion, emulating David would consist of possessing attributes such as the following:

1) faith in God, even in the face of what might appear from a human perspective to be insurmountable odds (as shown, for example, by his confidence in responding to Goliath's challenge (1 Samuel 17:4-54));

2) a love of God and His Law (which he made particularly evident in the many psalms that he composed expressing this attitude) (Psalm 119 is a good (and lengthy) example of this.);

3) expression of praise and thankfulness to God for His blessings (again, as exhibited by David in psalms such as Psalm 9 and Psalm 145), which David maintained not only during times of peace and prosperity, but also of fear and despair;

4) true repentance after the commission of sin, and not allowing God's judgment of that sin to drive one away from God (2 Samuel 11-12; Psalm 51; Psalm 32). (To me, this is particularly encouraging. It reminds me that God will forgive sin in response to genuine contrition (even though there may still be temporal consequences to be faced (2 Samuel 12:1-23; 2 Samuel 14-18)).) 

5) showing mercy even to one's enemies, and leaving their judgment to God (such as when David spared the life of Saul on multiple occasions, despite the fact that Saul was trying to kill him (1 Samuel 24; 1 Samuel 26)).

September 09 2017 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

1 Samuel 13:14: But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.

Every child, before formed in the belly, God the Father knows thee, as is sanctified and ordained unto the nations. Being ordained, one needs to set his love and faith upon Him, for then thou shalt go to all that He shall send thee, and whatsoever He commands thee thou shalt speak. (Jer 1:5-7/Psa 91:14) Lord Jesus, as a child who grew up, when “He was twelve years old,” he waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, having the grace of God upon Him. His parents took Him to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When they fulfilled the days to return, Lord Jesus tarried behind; and they knew not of Him, and they sought Him among their kinsfolk. It came to pass after three days, His parents found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of doctors, hearing them and asking questions. All who heard Him were astonished at “His understanding and His answers.” (Lk 2:40-43,45-47) 

David, who was a young shepherd, had faith, and through faith the Lord delivered him out of the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear. (1 Sam 17:37) Lord God looketh on one’s heart who discerns in humbleness, and inclineth his ear to hearken to His voice, and come to Him. (Isa 55:3) As the scriptures reveal unto us, the setting of mankind by God the Father is to reveal unto us, one who is sought (the chosen) “after His own Heart, needs to abide in Him in faith.” Saul lost his faith, feared the people, and obeyed their voices. To hearken and obey is better than sacrifice, for rebellion is a sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is an iniquity and idolatry. (1Sam 15:22-24) As the Lord revealed unto Samuel, who then anointed David, the Spirit of the Lord came upon David, for he was cunning in playing, mighty valiant, and a man of war who was prudent in speech and a “comely person.” (1 Sam 16:12-13,18) 

Jesse then said unto his son David, for his brothers who followed Saul to battle, take now for thy brethren an e’-phah of this parched corn and ten loaves and run to the camp of thy brethren. (1 Sam 17:13,17) He then came to his brethren and greeted them, as he talked with them, Go-li’-ath came towards them. The men who stood by him said, "Have ye seen this man that is come up? Surely this man who has come up is to defy Israel." David then spoke to the man, who is this uncircumcised Philis’-tine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? His elder brother Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and David then said unto him, "What have I done? Is there not a cause?" What David had spoken, Saul called unto him, and David said unto him, "Thy servant will go and fight the battle." When he went to the battle, he said unto them, "I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defiled." He smoothed the Philis’-tine the Go-li’-ath in his forehead with a stone, and he fell upon the earth with his face. (1 Sam 17:23,26-29,45,49) 

John 14:12: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

2 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report