Even though I walk through a valley of deep darkness, I will not be afraid because you are with me. Psalm 23:4
Hello dear one,
David, who wrote the above words, is one of the best examples of our complicated human nature. Even in darkness, he felt God’s presence, but he was both a hero and a villain, a good guy and a bad guy. He was a man after God’s own heart, but he was also cruelly self-interested. Did he not sense God’s presence when he was tempted by Bathsheba? Did he not hear God’s still small voice? Sometimes it is hard to reconcile these two sides of David. How could a man of such faithfulness and courage act so cowardly and selfish?
Looking at David’s life, we see an example of our own very complicated human nature. There is a little David in all of us. And in every person, there is a potential for sin and goodness and an opportunity to experience God’s grace and forgiveness. I am saddened that labeling continues in our culture and the labels stick and we don’t allow for spiritual growth and redemption. We are quick to categorize people, democrat or republican, villainizing each other as good or bad, liberal or conservative, radical or passive, gay or straight, saint or sinner. God has not given us the right to judge. Only God knows what is deeply hidden in our hearts. God walks with us through our dark valleys and is also the light beckoning us onward. Let’s you and I become an encourager instead of judge. Let’s offer mercy. See the good in others. Love others as Christ has loved us, unconditionally.
Linda
Hello dear one,
David, who wrote the above words, is one of the best examples of our complicated human nature. Even in darkness, he felt God’s presence, but he was both a hero and a villain, a good guy and a bad guy. He was a man after God’s own heart, but he was also cruelly self-interested. Did he not sense God’s presence when he was tempted by Bathsheba? Did he not hear God’s still small voice? Sometimes it is hard to reconcile these two sides of David. How could a man of such faithfulness and courage act so cowardly and selfish?
Looking at David’s life, we see an example of our own very complicated human nature. There is a little David in all of us. And in every person, there is a potential for sin and goodness and an opportunity to experience God’s grace and forgiveness. I am saddened that labeling continues in our culture and the labels stick and we don’t allow for spiritual growth and redemption. We are quick to categorize people, democrat or republican, villainizing each other as good or bad, liberal or conservative, radical or passive, gay or straight, saint or sinner. God has not given us the right to judge. Only God knows what is deeply hidden in our hearts. God walks with us through our dark valleys and is also the light beckoning us onward. Let’s you and I become an encourager instead of judge. Let’s offer mercy. See the good in others. Love others as Christ has loved us, unconditionally.
Linda
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