Psalm 33, Psalm 23

Dan & Claire Maudhub share from Psalm 33 and Psalm 23 about having a heart turned towards God in every circumstance.

Dan & Claire Maudhub

We have just completed a short teaching series on the life of David and there are some key attributes of David's life that inspire and challenge me to the core.

He lived a tough life. From a young age he was the outcast; not a soldier like his brothers; not even in line when Samuel was choosing the next king of Israel from the household of Jesse. His earthly father didn't even put him in the frame for kingship.

He graduated from the school of hard knocks. Killing the lion, bear and wolf were his playground fights and he learnt patience, humility and a heart of compassion from looking after sheep day after day.

Yet this positioned him perfectly to defeat the biggest of all enemies - fear of man. Facing Goliath was not an issue of physical skill and power (although he had learned that from tending the sheep). It was David's God-fearing heart attitude; knowing his Father and having more awe and respect for Him than any man. David learnt from a young age to conquer fear of man and this saw him fulfill the plans and purposes God had for him.

He carried this respect for God and His anointed king throughout Saul's reign and, although Saul constantly sought David's harm, David's heart was of love and compassion. To think, we can get highly upset when someone is slightly abrupt or rude to us!

I find it amazing that David worshiped God with unreserved passion and resolved to see His 'bigger picture' in the midst of every circumstance. The Psalms consistently show that no matter what trouble David is in, his hope and trust is in his Heavenly Father and he fears Him more than his situation.

Even in his darkest hour of sin with Bathsheba and having killed her husband, in Psalm 51 David cries out with repentance and faith-filled hope, knowing God could restore him. I ask myself, 'do I respond like that?'

He obviously wasn't sinless and perfect (only Jesus was and is), but David's attitude to put God first in every circumstance; worship Him through the times of trouble and overcome all of life's obstacles with a heart of worship and praise is something that challenges and inspires me.

Have I had tough things happen to me in life? Yes. Is life sometimes tough now? Yes. What is my response to my Father? Do I blame Him or moan? Or do I put my complete trust and faith in Him and praise Him through the circumstance?

My encouragement is to earnestly seek Father God today; worship Him through the highs and lows; never let go and trust Him with everything.