For many of us who love the Word of God, one of our favorite Biblical characters is the King of Israel, David. One of the reasons that many of us are drawn to him is because we can relate to his vulnerability. He is a human being — just like us. He had both strengths and weaknesses.
There were some real challenges in David’s life that make us realize he is imperfect. For example the sins that David committed with Bathsheba, even putting her husband in the front lines on the battlefield to be killed in order to take his wife. He fell at times in his walk with the LORD, just like we sometimes do — but we also see Dovid HaMelech’s (David the King’s) greatness.
I really think that seeing David’s faults and yet his divine role, gives us all confidence and hope. We, including David himself, all fall short. If we were perfect, there would not have been a need for Jesus to give His life for us. The truth is – Father gave His Son while we were still sinners.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
One of the things that David said to the LORD that really impacts me and deeply touches my heart is:
“Your gentleness makes me great” (Psalm 18:35).
I know this resonates with some of you as well.
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David knew it was not his own righteousness that made him great. He realized his value, significance, identity, and victory came from the LORD’s love, mercy, and gentleness upon him. He knew that he was a simple boy in a field tending sheep when God dramatically changed his life. Beloved, like David, no matter what we were before we met Jesus, we are now royalty.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1Peter 2:9).
And consider this tender reality, even when David fell, Father God never forsook him. But as any loving Father would, He did discipline and correct him at times. David ended up suffering for his sin, but God’s lovingkindness towards him was constant. Remember, Father only brings discipline because He is a good Father and loves each one of us.
“For whom the LORD loves He disciplines, and He punishes every son whom He accepts” (Hebrews 12:6).
Beloved One. it was God’s gentleness, compassion, and lovingkindness upon David that made him and caused him to become so special. David, through the good, bad, and ugly times of life, knew who his source was for guidance, strength, and protection.
And get this, David was aware of God’s favor upon him and in response to it said this:
“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).
Notice the word LORD in the above verse is in all caps. Whenever we see LORD (in all capital letters) in the Tanakh (Old Testament), the English translators are substituting it in place of the original Hebrew letters: Yud Hei Vav Hei, which is God’s personal name, Yahweh.
You should note that, traditional Jews will not say Yahweh, because they believe it is so Holy, it should not be spoken. However, God’s personal name Yahweh is used approximately 7,000 times in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament).
For example, in the book of Exodus, called in Hebrew Shemot, God said to Moses:
“I am the LORD (Yahweh); and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD (Yahweh), I did not make Myself known to them” (Exodus 6: 2, 3).
Moses, David, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Hosea, Joel, and the other Old Testament writers all use God’s personal name. For example, in Psalm 34:1 when David was calling upon Yahweh (LORD) using His personal name. He does not just address God with an impersonal LORD, but he actually calls God by His name. “I will bless Yahweh.” Yahweh is a person.
And let us consider that he did not say, “I will bless Yahweh when I feel like it.” No, David said, “I will bless Yahweh at all times” and “His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” It is a choice. It is a matter of the will.
Beloved friends, In the same way, we must make a daily decision to bless and praise the LORD, not only or because we feel like it, but because it is the right thing to do—He is God! Our destiny is to be united with Him. We have to transcend living by our feelings and become solid by practicing praising Him in the mountains and in the valleys. Let’s be like David and bless the LORD continually! Let’s exalt and honor Him by praising Him in all seasons and circumstances just like David.
Rabbi Schneider hosts the impactful television program –Discovering The Jewish Jesus, which is available in more than one hundred million homes in the United States and nearly two hundred nations worldwide. In 2021 he began broadcasting on radio and now airs across America. Rabbi Schneider imparts revelation of Jesus’ Jewish heritage and His fulfillment of Messianic prophecy. Questions of how the Old and New Testaments tie together, and how Yeshua completes the unfolding plan of The Almighty Yahweh, are answered with exceptional clarity. www.discoveringthejewishjesus.com/about-2/rabbi-schneider/
