David, David. . . A Man Like David

David, David, David: a great man, a flawed man, a shepherd, a king, a lover, a father, a priest, a warrior, a repentant man, a dynasty’s beginning, a sinner, a murderer, a liar, an adulterer, a musician, a poet, a friend, a leader, a visionary, a worshipper, an unashamed chaser after God, a mentor, a brother.

Yes, yes, and yes, he was all these things and more. Many have thought and said, “How can God love such a man? For this man was so imperfect, with so many shortcomings. Yet, this man, this man, God loved and chose to establish His throne forever. What qualifies him so to be so special?”
You see, yes, he sinned and was a sinner; he messed up royally (pardon the pun). But this man David--as many as his sins were--when he did repent, he did so with sorrow, godly sorrow. He then never looked back to his sin; rather, he turned to God and embraced Him boldly and fully and without shame, just as if he had never sinned!

What awesome trust in God's forgiving grace and unending love. How can a father not love such a son who implicitly trusts in his sonship and who honors his father in that he never committed the same sin twice, never? And he never looked back, never. And once forgiven, he never cowered, never hid himself from God, never. Rather, he laid himself bare and trusted Him who had said, to do what He said.
What have you done? Have you sinned, lied, stolen, cheated, hurt, or abused another? Call upon God, the Father; repent and receive His love. Then, don't look back; hold your head up high and never let anyone or anything convince you that you are anything less than loved--absolutely, totally, crazily, as only God can.

I've been there and done that too, but no more--no more doubt. I am the redeemed, the beloved, the covered, the forgiven, and so are you. Yes, YOU!
So join with me today to celebrate Papa's love. Old things have passed away and behold all things have become new (2 Cor. 5:17b). I am my beloved's, and He is mine (Song of Sol. 6:3a) His banner over me was love (Song of Sol. 2:4b)


Excerpted from The Voice of One Woman by Mettabel Okulaja
Copyright © 2011, Xulon Press.