What did David know that we need to?

Good morning my sisters-

I have a friend that will find out this week if the condition he is facing is Cancer.  It's a scary thing to be faced with health issues.  People think, "I'll never get sick."  I said it myself.  But the truth of the matter is that our bodies age and things happen and illness can be one of them.  I always told myself that I would never take medicine and here I am taking three pills a day.  I guess I could shout at something, stop taking them or say, "God where are you?"  Instead, I'm grateful there is medicine that can help and that God provides it.

I have heard it say that health is one of the biggest gifts we can have and to some extent I think people are right.  However, when I look at my life, I think one of the biggest gifts I've received is mercy.  David experienced mercy, especially when he took what he wanted and didn't look at the consequences.  The hours he must have spent berating himself because he went against God.  And without a doubt, he suffered for it.  But in the quiet, David knew one thing, his God was merciful and righteous.  He knew that God kept His promises and whether, death nor life, His God was good.

Many believe that because we have free will that we do things on our own.  Free will isn't about forging out into this cold cruel world, its about choosing Christ, having faith and looking at the promises that God has kept.  Rainbows were a symbol that we would never have another horrible flood.  Isaac's almost sacrifice was the symbol of God's redemption for us.  His Son's life is the sacrifice and our reward is eternal life.

In the Psalms, you can read of David's journey with God.  You can hear his thoughts and feelings.  You may even experience a moment when his cry to God is yours.  Many times I have prayed a Psalm to The Lord.  I guess I could have written my own prayer but why?  His heart was at the core in many of his pleas.  We are lucky to be able to hear the cry of one man to his Lord.  This wasn't any man, this was a crowned king.  He is a historical figure, a great warrior and the feller of a giant.  He was strong, mighty and powerful and yet, when he did things on his own without God; He was empty.  His heart yearned to be near God, to love God and to pray for mercy.  He knew the one thing we must all know, God is merciful and full of love for us.  We are sinners.  At the end of the day, that's just what we are.  God must right the wrongs of  humans.  We get on our soap box and honestly, probably without a lot of prayer.  We think our thoughts align with his thoughts but have we really taken the time to get on our knees.  David spent hours with God in caves, traveling the land and in his kingdom. His heart and mind sought God at every turn.

In the quiet, we must seek Him.  We must find Him and pray that He would be with us.  We may have to reconcile ourselves with illness, disappointment, divorce or a prodigal son or daughter.  We may wonder where our riches are or how we are going to get food on the table but in the end one thing must stand clear; Christ is our Savior and if we get any help, it comes from Him.

I pray that we are all looking into the mighty mercy of Christ.  His death was just another symbol of God's holy commitment to His people.  He didn't come for one of us; He came for people with every skin color, in every nation and in every religious group.  He is a selfish God who wants us to love Him and in return, He is waiting.  It's time for us to quit saying that we can do things on our own.  We must pick up the cross and realize Christ is merciful, strong and powerful.  We are His and He is our King.  Let's bow to Him today, not because we have too but because we want too.  I want to be like David, open and honest, full of repentance and calling on my God.  May you be blessed today as you find Christ.  I know I am.

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened — burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly. Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me. May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!” But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay. (Psalm 40:1-17 NIV)