0

Hmmm... Maybe I should pick up the book by that title which I've seen a couple of times at the bookstore... see how. :P

Just like to share two passages from a material that I'm doing with some of the youths on the man after God's heart, David:

"I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him." - 1 Samuel 16:18

In two simple descriptions, God tells us volumes about a man after His own heart. We are shown that David had the tenderness and sensitivity of an artist. He was a musician and a song writer. David did not simply have talent. Talent alone could not have soothed the torment of Saul. David plucked the strings of his harp with tenderness and sensitivity. He chose melodies that ministered to the aching soul. Yet, we are also told he was a warrior, brave and strong. The fingers that gently plucked the strings of a harp could wind fiercely around a sling or a sword. We will see his gentle song turn into a public rebuke as he faces the Philistines.

David was a complex man. He could be both passionate and withdrawn; dependable and shocking; righteous and wicked - just like us.

We make a big mistake when we consider being gentle and being a man opposite things. My brother who has such a gift to play the piano could also put a basketball through the hoop, but he was told in junior high he had to make a choice between the two. He was forced to choose either band or sports. He went with his grater gift at the cost of being labeled effeminate.

Two qualities I've come to admire most in both guys and girls are tenderness and strength. I no longer see them as opposite terms. I've come to realize that one without the other leaves an individual incomplete. I deeply desire to be a woman of tenderness and strength because my dearest role model possessed both. Real men can risk being seen as gentle. (And guys, girls love gentlemen!)

Christ Jesus is the artist. He created the world with colors and textures human artists have tried for thousands of years to imitate. Christ Jesus is the musician. He gave the angels their voices. Christ Jesus is the tenderhearted, ministering to our every need.

Christ Jesus is also the warrior, forever leading us in triumphant procession, if only we follow (2 Cor. 2:14). In our greatest weakness, He is strong. Christ Jesus is the ideal example of both characteristics. He has set an example before us of true manhood and true womanhood. No greater person exists than one who is both tender and strong. David was such a man.

Our victory rests on faith in our God. We're often intimidated in battle because we are uncertain of our faith. We must remember we don't stand in victory because of our faith. We stand in victory because of our God. Faith in faith is pointless. Faith in a living, active God moves mountains. Moses acknowledged Jehovah as the living God and led multitudes to freedom from slavery. Joshua acknowledged Jehovah as the living God and led multitudes into the promised land. Daniel acknowledged Jehovah as the living God and the angel shut the mouths of lions. You serve the same God. Are you allowing Him to live smack in the middle of your life? If so, I bet you've crossed a few Red Seas, tumbled down a few walls, and escaped a few lions yourself. He is alive. He is active. He wants to make you living proof. Remember, the cross would have been God's worst defeat had the people not had cause to exclaim, "He's alive!"

Stories don't get any better than David and Goliath, do they? Stories like the one we've studied today caused the preschooler, who once listened from a baby bear chair, to stand in front of momma bear chairs and teach Sunday School. Some stories are worth retelling. A living God is worth believing.

From "DAVID: Seeking God's Heart" by Beth Moore