What Made David Great?

I just returned from a missions trip to India, where it was my privilege to teach the characteristics of David to a group of women who had never sat under a woman and learned the word of God. I hope they were as rejuvenated by the spirit of David as I was. We looked at the fact that he had the Spirit of God in him (as we do if we know the Lord), and he had a fearless trust in God, was fair and kind, was often a quiet warrior, was spiritually dependent and independent at the same time, and he encourage himself in God. There were more lessons, but those certainly stand out.

I encourage anyone to study David’s life from 1 and 2 Samuel and from the Psalms. We’ve had a good look into the mind of David in our study here of Ps. 119.  These verses show what made him a great character. They serve as his testimony, and we know that we learn great things from God’s testimonies. Today, join me in looking at Ps. 119:97-100.

Psa 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.	The best thoughts we can have all day are the ones focused on God’s word. David loved to meditate on God’s law—all day.  We tend to meditate on things all day, usually whatever is top of mind, whether that be problems, projects or people, etc. I think it’s a great idea to find some verses in the morning and think on them all day. Wonderful go-to verses are Prov. 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
(98)  Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.	David also thought on God’s commandments, and he recognized that a good understanding of them made him wiser than his enemies. He said “for they are ever with me.” Did he mean God’s commandments were ever with him, or his enemies? I suspect he meant God’s commandments were ever with him. He looked at them as treasures to guide him through the minefields of his enemies. That’s how he had the grace to go through what he did with Saul pursing him relentlessly. We also can be wiser than our enemies if we will focus on God’s solutions rather than our problems.
(99)  I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.	We can be on top of the world when we understand and grasp God’s testimonies. We can live encouraged, not because we read “Our Daily Bread” in the morning for a boost, but because we ponder God’s ways shown in his word, and we trust him. It gives us more understanding than our teachers.
(100)  I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.	Not only can we have better spiritual understanding than our teachers, we can have more understanding than wise people of old. Think of any famous philosopher through the ages. They knew nothing truly unless it was God’s precepts. David certainly had a life-altering grasp of God through his word, and that’s where he found his strength and his glory. I think he had that level of understanding because of his enemies. They drove him to seek God. When we have challenges, may they drive us to God and his word and not to despair.

There’s a Prize at the End For Keeping God’s Testimonies

I remember a time when I was stuck spiritually. I was stale and starting to faint. I confessed to my pastor that I was only reading the New Testament and had no desire to read the Old Testament. I just couldn’t bring myself to read what I thought was boring history that had nothing to do with my life.

We prayed that day that I would have a desire to read the Old Testament, and then I started dutifully reading through it. A whole new world opened to me. There were so many stories of how God works that presented principles I could live by. The Old Testament was exactly what I needed, and still need. It’s there I find so many testimonies. I see mistakes I should avoid (and why I should avoid them!). I see faith I should emulate. I see God’s love and forbearance with his people I should remember and appreciate. I see the faithfulness of God and some of his choice servants. That’s why testimonies is my favorite word for the word in Ps. 119.

We’re on our last three of the verses today. I’m sad to see it end, because this study has refreshed my soul with some of the great Old Testament stories and principles. David wrote Ps. 119, and he clearly loved the Old Testament stories he had available to him. Little did he know that his life would provide me with additional testimonies to know, love and apply.

Psalms 119:157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.	David surely had persecutors and enemies. Among the testimonies he had available to him was Joseph’s life: Gen 50:18-20  And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.  (19)  And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?  (20)  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. David could see from this that God has his unseen-at-the-time purposes. He refused to push those testimonies aside. To me, Joseph and David are testimonies of Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Psalms 119:167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.	I also love God’s testimonies. Does my soul keep them? As long as I can remember them, I try to keep them. One of them is how to be a good wife. 1Pe 3:4-6  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.  (5)  For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:  (6)  Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. That’s a hard testimony to keep, except in combination with another testimony. Pro 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Psalms 119:168  I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.	Why did David (and so why should I) keep his precepts and his testimonies? Because my ways are before him. Heb 12:6-7  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  (7)  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? I want a testimony like the Apostle Paul’s, Php 3:13-14  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

God Repeats His Ways

Whatever God did once in the Bible, we can count on him to do it again, because it’s his testimony. God is not wishy-washy. He is faithful. We get principles to live by from his testimonies.

I have always marveled at the way God handled the Israelites in the wilderness. They acted obnoxiously; God sent trials; they were sorry, repented and cried out to God; and he delivered them—every time. For years I read those stories, and my predominant thought was, “Wow, were they stupid. If I was God, I would have wiped them off the face of the earth. Good thing I’m not God.”

But eventually, my thinking changed. Now I read those stories, and I’m so thankful for them. I marvel at the forbearance, mercy and love of God. Those stories are a testimony of God’s character and God’s ways. What he did for them, he’ll do for me. I find comfort in that.

Below are more lessons to learn about God’s testimonies as we are close to wrapping up our study of the word testimonies in Ps. 119.

Psalms 119:144  The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.	If God doesn’t give me understanding into his righteous testimonies, I won’t live. I’ll faint. Who better to recognize that than David. Unless God came through for him as he ran from Saul and from his own son Absalom, He would have died. Here’s his testimony, demonstrating that he had understanding of God’s testimonies: Psa 27:12-14  Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.  (13)  I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.  (14)  Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalms 119:146  I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.	David talks about keeping God’s testimonies. How? I can see learning from them, but keeping them? It must mean keeping what I learn from his testimonies. In this verse, David cried to God to save him, with the promise he would keep God’s testimonies. He would keep what he learned from how God saved him. That reminds me of Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Salvation won’t come by my efforts, but God’s. David seemed to know that, evidenced by the time he had the chance to kill Saul in the cave, and instead he cut off a piece of Saul’s robe (and felt guilty for it). God eventually was the one who saved David. David knew not to take matters into his own hands.
Psalms 119:152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.	God’s testimonies are forever. Wow. What God did before, he’ll do again and forever. That’s why it is so important to learn from the stories/examples of the Bible. Because those principles last forever. Thank you God. When he turned the heart of the king (in Exodus,  in Esther, in Nehemiah, in Daniel…), it was because that’s what God does. Pro 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. David knew things like that from when he was a kid. And he must have taught that to his son Solomon, who became a king and wrote those words. That lesson applies, I’m sure, not just to kings, but bosses and spouses and co-workers.

God Raises Us to be Dependent

I was so young the first time I heard my parents tell me they were kicking me out of the house at age 21 that I had nightmares of my 21st birthday. I fully expected that they would usher me to the front door, toss me in the air like a bouncy ball, and literally kick me out into the front yard.

Of course, now I know what that was all about. They started me young on the idea that they were raising me to be independent. They didn’t want me to think for a second that they were taking care of me for the rest of my life.

The way God raises us spiritually is completely opposite of that. He doesn’t, for a second, want us to depend on ourselves, but on him. Think of those verses in Proverbs that astound us each time we read them: Pro 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

That is his testimony throughout the Bible. We are studying the word and concept of testimonies in Ps. 119. The word is used 23 times in that chapter. The two testimonies verses for today made me think of examples of dependence on God and not on self ability.  

Psalms 119:129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

The testimonies of Christ are especially wonderful. More than 25 years ago, I soaked up how he handled unfair treatment, as I mentioned yesterday. To this day, I use Christ’s testimony as a guide to handling tough situations. Here it is again: 1Pe 2:22-23  (22)  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  (23)  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. That testimony is amazing. Can I remember to commit myself to him rather than fight for myself.

Psalms 119:138  Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

Sometimes his testimonies involve a commandment. Here’s one. The Spirit of the Lord is speaking in 2 Chron. 20:15&17  And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's…. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. So, they believed the testimony that God commanded, and they began to sing and praise God. And here’s the rest of the story: 2Ch 20:22  And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. God’s testimonies that he commanded here were righteous and very faithful. I learn from them. God raises me, not to be independent, but dependent on him. He wants to come through for me, not me for myself.

Here’s Something to Stand on Today

The anchor for my soul today is going to be God’s testimonies. I think I can live off of a few stories in the Old Testament that talk about folks who trusted God in trying times, and God came through in a huge way. If He did it for them, he can do it for me. Sign me up.

Let’s look at the next three verses in Ps. 119 that talk about the testimony of the Lord. Remember what we’ve learned so far. God’s testimonies are the Bible stories we learn from. Those stories teach us what God likes, doesn’t like and how he responds to certain actions, words and hearts.

There are 23 verses in Ps. 119 that talk about God’s testimonies. It’s my favorite word used for the word in Ps. 119.

Psalms 119:46  I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.	Who gets to stand before kings and discuss God’s testimonies and not be ashamed? David did.  He could recount God’s deliverance from Goliath to Saul and tell him what he told Goliath: Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. (1 Samuel 17:45)  Daniel did. After surviving the outcome of the king throwing him into the lion’s den, he said, My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. (Daniel 6:22) All these testimonies are recorded for us to know and share and trust and live. What’s my excuse for wimpiness?
Psalms 119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.	So, I’ve just thought about David’s boldness and fearlessness in the Goliath battle, and I’ve thought about Daniel’s innocency and how God rewarded that with deliverance from the hungry lions. Now I think on my ways. I need to turn like David and Daniel to the living God. Lord, may I equally rely on you, keeping a pure heart and life before you? If I’ll do that, I can see that your deliverance is right there. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.  In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. (Psalms 56:3-4) Why? Because I know what God is like from David and Daniel's testimonies.
Psalms 119:79   Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.	This is David, who at times was running for his life from king Saul, asking God for good friends. The kind he asked for were those who fear God and that know God’s testimonies. I need friends, too, but not just any friends. Those who know what God can do. Thank you. It’s OK to ask for quality friends who equally love what God can do. David had a friend like that. Jonathan. Remember, he also faced war enemies alone and won the battle. They both had the same victory experience with God, and it’s probably why the Bible says, and it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. (1 Samuel 18:1) I want friends like that.

Look for Jewels in Ps. 119

God’s testimonies are jewels. When I find them and observe them, I beautify my soul and my life with them.

God’s testimonies are the Bible stories I learn from. Those stories teach me what God likes, doesn’t like and how he responds to certain actions, words and hearts.

If I didn’t have the stories in the Bible to show me God, I wouldn’t know God.  Let’s observe each of the 23 verses in Ps. 119 that uses the word testimonies starting with the first three.

To the right of the verse, I’m writing my observations. You can do the same. At the end, I have the chart of all 23 verses. You can copy and paste them into a Word document and start your own worksheet. My aim for the space to the right is to write observations, prayers and examples of testimonies that help me to understand the verse.

Psalms 119:2  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.	When I learn God’s testimonies (the things he likes and doesn’t like and responds positively or negatively to, based on the stories I see), then I’ll keep his testimonies. I’ll apply what I learn. In John 8, the scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in the act of adultery and challenged him on whether he would deal with her according to the law (stone her). His testimony? Love and forgiveness. I should be like that. “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies.”
Psalms 119:14  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.	I have to admit, riches are something to rejoice in… no more worrying about finances. Imagine. But a deeper sense of joy comes from God’s testimonies. Here’s one. In Exodus, Moses wanted to see and know God. So God testified of himself to Moses, and we get to see. I have run miles with this. Exo 34:6-7  And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,  (7)  Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
Psalms 119:22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.	This one is tough, because one testimony is 2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Jesus did, we will. But I know from stories in the Bible that God can change people’s hearts on the behalf of those who walk close to him. David, who walked uprightly, keeping God’s testimonies, was often given respite from Saul’s terror. Saul would have changes of heart and quit pursuing David as an enemy. Pro 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. I can pray to be removed from reproach and contempt because God works in hearts to make it happen. That’s his testimony.

Those verses are jewels. I want to interact with each of the 23 “testimonies” verses in Ps. 119. Come along with me. Let’s beautify our souls. Here is the verse chart.

Psalms 119:2  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Psalms 119:14  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
Psalms 119:22 ¶ Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:24 ¶ Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
Psalms 119:31  I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
Psalms 119:36  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Psalms 119:46  I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
Psalms 119:59 ¶ I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:79  Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:88 ¶ Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
Psalms 119:95 ¶ The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:99  I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
Psalms 119:111 ¶ Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
Psalms 119:119  Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:125  I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:129 ¶ PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
Psalms 119:138  Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
Psalms 119:144  The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
Psalms 119:146  I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:152 ¶ Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
Psalms 119:157 ¶ Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:167 ¶ My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
Psalms 119:168  I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee