I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously. 1 Chronicles 29:17, NLT

This scripture is a part of David’s prayer of praise. As king, David was not allowed to re-build the Temple. He was a warrior king. God chose Solomon, his soon-to-be king son, as the builder. I can imagine it would have been hard for David to feel disappointed. Those of us who are parents understand how delighted we are when our children succeed.

There are highs and lows when reading about David’s life. He melts my heart one minute and makes me want to shake him the next. He definitely had a dysfunctional household and was a weak father in many ways. But, as I read this prayer he prayed on the eve of Solomon being crowned king, my heart melts for this elderly patriarch.

He had seem some hard times, hadn’t he? Mercy. Just like you and I, some of it was of his own doing and some of it was not. Nevertheless, he continued to love God. David recognized that God values integrity. He knew how it felt to fall. He knew the emptiness of making choices with a poor motive and little integrity. I have deep respect for someone who can make an utter mess of things and when confronted by God, be willing to accept the discipline and change for the better. Don’t you? I look forward to meeting this shepherd boy who became King when I arrive at my heavenly home. Think of how exciting it will be to sit around, visiting with him, and listening to all the details not recorded.

For all of his weaknesses and failures, David was teachable. He accepted correction. These traits were surely some of the reason why God called him a man after His heart. God knew David’s end from his beginning.

God had already witnessed this day with David long before David realized how his reign would end. God knew. When David was mourning his mistakes and grieving over his critically ill baby, God knew this day would come.

God knows how our stories will end too. The failures and the successes are a part of our book of life. I think that’s why He is so patient with us. He knows our ends from our beginnings.

If David had given up when the Priest, Nathan, confronted him with his sin he would have missed out on the joy only the forgiven can feel. The joy that is so deep in the forgiven’s heart that happiness seems like a silly adolescent.

Are we teachable? Do we get angry when God corrects us, or do we pray as David did,

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51: 7-11

Thank you for loving us with a faithful, enduring love that last forever. For not only wanting an abundant life for us, but for working that process out within us – even when it hurts. Thank you Lord for disciplining us as your children. Help us to not give up. Your word tells us that you will give us the will and the power to live according to Your purposes. Just as you walked with David, walk with us. We want to be people who run after You, thirst for You, and that live our lives each day in Your presence. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen

I often link with…Suzie Eller at #livefree Thursday, Kelly Balarie at Purposeful Faith, Holly Barrett at Testimony Tuesday , Crystal Storms at Intentional Tuesday ,Susan B. Mead at #DanceWithJesus Friday, and Jennifer Dukes Lee at #TellHisStory