I have been learning a lot from King David’s life, all through last year, up until now. Right from the way he honoured Saul, despite the way Saul treated him, to the way this shepherd boy-turned-king worshipped God without bothering about anything that anyone said, David truly deserved the tag, “man after God’s own heart”. David ran to God for every little thing–when he sinned when he won, when he had complaints, and when he needed forgiveness. And this is the biggest takeaway from his– ‘the idea of running to God instead of drifting away, especially in times of trouble.’

Lately, I have been delving deep into David’s real and raw emotions–the ones recorded so elaborately in the book of Psalms. He had disappointments and often felt that things are not fair but he always brought it to God and did not let those emotions linger on; they always turned into praise and thanksgiving. This week, we shall look at some chapters from the book of Psalms that not only talk about David’s emotions but are also lessons on relentlessly running to God, no matter what.

The first one is Psalm 13; which has only six verses:

The tonality is different in the first couple of verses. It is drenched with feelings of rejection, disappointment, anger, and frustration. And the best part is that David does not shy away from dramatizing how he feels, especially in verse three, where he says: “Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die!” Strong words, one might say.

However, there is a transition to trust, joy, and thanksgiving in verses five and six. David vented out his raw emotions in the first four verses. This shows honesty before God instead of being fake; he poured out his heart, his deepest fears, and his gravest concerns. But he does not let those negative emotions hover over his head. So, he intentionally moves from a place of frustration and disheartenment and turns towards God, his hope, joy, and rock. He also acknowledges that the Lord has rescued him before and it was not because David deserved it but because of God’s unfailing love. By saying that he trusts in that unfailing love, he is also declaring that he believes that the Lord will come through for him in this crisis as well. He deeply knows who God is, what He has done, and what He can do. Since David knew the character of God, therefore he could say, “I TRUST IN YOUR UNFAILING LOVE” come what may. It does not stop there–David also goes on to say that he will sing to the Lord because He is good to him. This is a reflection of the gratitude that David had for the Lord. Not only for the goodness that he tasted before but also for what was yet to come at the time.

Our lives can get painful at times; sometimes, to a point, we feel that God is far away or has forgotten us. We may be heartbroken, broke, or rejected, and this can make us doubt God and His goodness. These emotions may even make us question God’s existence. But if we truly know who our God is, and the truth of His Word, then we would, like David, be able to trust, rejoice and sing praise to our God. The place and situation will not matter then–it can be a barn full of bleating sheep or a dark and dingy dungeon–we will still rejoice and worship because of the One who rescued and redeemed us.

If we truly know who our God is, and the truth of His Word, then we would, like David, be able to trust, rejoice and sing praise to our God. The place and situation will not matter then–it can be a barn full of bleating sheep or a dark and dingy dungeon–we will still rejoice and worship because of the One who rescued and redeemed us.

Now, let us look at the next chapter, Psalm 22. There are 31 verses in this chapter and we will be looking at a couple of them:

¹ My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
    Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
² Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
    Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.
³ Yet you are holy,
    enthroned on the praises of Israel

Do you see a pattern here? David said something along similar lines as the first few verses in the previous chapter that we looked at. To put it bluntly, David’s biggest fear was God turning away from Him. This man needed constant reassurance from God was with him, not far away. Aren’t we like David sometimes? We keep asking God questions like, “Why didn’t You save me from that problem?” “Why did You let this happen to me?” ‘WHY.’ We keep on knocking on heaven’s door and feel like nothing is happening.

Like the previous chapter we looked at, even this has a set of complaints, and then in the third verse David’s tone changes.  “My God, You do not answer…YET, YOU ARE HOLY.” This shows that his faith in God was not based on signs or results.

Now, let us head to the last couple of verses in this chapter

²⁹ Let the rich of the earth feast and worship.
    Bow before him, all who are mortal,
    all whose lives will end as dust.
³⁰ Our children will also serve him.
    Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.
³¹ His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.
    They will hear about everything he has done.

From lament to trust and then praise, this chapter also ends with a tone that is very different from how it started. We see this sequence of David in many a Psalm—lament, trust, and then praise. A lot of prophets across the world, including our senior pastor, have been talking about a chapter to hold on to in 2023; it is Psalm 23, the famous chapter that most people remember by heart yet have not taken its essence into their hearts.

The fourth verse in that chapter says,
“Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me

Note: We don’t stay or stand in the valley of the shadow of death, it says “WALK!” So, don’t make your tents in that valley; choose to walk through it, knowing that our Great Shepherd is in control. Surely, there will be valley seasons in our lives, but remember there is a mountain ahead, and a mountain top with a great view. Life is not a rosy path; everybody has their share of ups and downs. “The man after God’s own heart” was distressed most times, YET, he chose to trust in God because even when he walks through the deadliest paths, God’s rod and staff protect and comfort him; he will fear no evil.

And then like the Psalm says,
You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
⁶ Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.”

Don’t stay in your valley; walk through it. Know that God walks with you through it. As you trust and praise Him, as David did, you will see victory. And you know how the story ends, “goodness and unfailing love, in the Lord’s house forever and ever.” Oh, imagine how lovely His dwelling place would be!

Consider this

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Here are four Rs from David’s life: Real: Be real and raw with your emotions when you come before God. He is our Heavenly Father who not only knows us deeply but also understands what we are going through. Bring all your victories, complaints, disappointments, frustrations, and rejections before the Lord. Get up close with God; don’t settle for a ritualistic prayer life. Run: Be it right or wrong, don’t ever run away from God, instead RUN TO HIM. There is no sin that is too difficult for God to forgive if you can repent with a sincere heart; the blood of Jesus can cleanse the toughest of stains, remember that. Recall: Count your blessings and name them one by one–this is not just a song but an instruction. In doing so, you remind yourself of how much God has done for you and how much more He can do for you now. Rise: Set your mind on the things above. Get up and walk through your valley season. Be intentional about getting through it–not by your might, but by His Spirit.