Seeking God Through Every Season of Life
March 5, 2012
By John Barnett
Read, print, and listen to this resource on our website www.DiscoverTheBook.org
As we open to the inspired postscript to the life of David, we find that the Holy Spirit directed Paul to say to amazing truths.
First, in Acts 13:22 Paul writes that David served God’s purpose in his own generation; then in v. 36 of the same chapter, Paul notes that David was the man after God’s own heart. That phrase is perhaps the best know New Testament description for David.
Being after God’s own heart is deep within all of our hopes for this life, but so often we wonder how. The combination of those two truths about David give us an inspired clue to what it takes to be after God’s own heart: to serve God’s purpose = to be after God’s own heart!
If we can learn what God has purposed for us to do for Him in our lifetime, that pleases Him, and our life is said to be after His own heart! This is a very powerful thought, the longer we dwell on it.
Life has seasons, much like the seasonal changes we watch around us each year. Spring is like youth; summer is so much like young adulthood; fall is like the height of our careers when everything is bright and golden; and winter’s quiet snow is when our days slowly fade like daylight’s hours are shortened.
Each of David’s season’s share a common thread, if you look closely, and listen to the desires of David’s heart, captured in the words of the Psalms. Turn with me back to Psalm 70:1-4 and hear it right from David:
David wanted the Lord magnified in every era of his life. Psalm 70: Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!” (v. 4).
Now let’s look back on David’s life to see what God saw in His servant.
A Panorama of David’s Life Through Thirty-One of His Psalms
What we see is David’s remarkable habit of looking for the Lord wherever he was. For in the midst of a hard, stressful, constantly demanding life of unending struggles, David made regular, long-term investments in seeking God.
You will see such growth in this panorama of David’s life through key verses from the psalms he likely penned in each stage. For the greatest blessing, I encourage you to meditate on these verses by relating them to what was going on in David’s life at the time. Then, as the Lord leads, ask Him to help you apply needed truths to your own life.
Season One: God had David write Three Psalms from the
Springtime of Youth, early life at home as a shepherd boy.
From David’s early life at home, he wrote three Psalms about the times when he was overlooked, ignored, & disliked by his family (1 Samuel 16-18).
1. So God became the focus of David’s “Peer-Pressure” instead of any others. Psalm 19: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer (v. 14).
2. So David learned that God could Satisfy his Longings. Psalm 23: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want (v. 1).
3. David made his relationship with the Lord: HIS. Psalm 132: Let us go into His tabernacle; let us worship at His footstool. … And let Your saints shout for joy (vv. 7, 9).
Season Two: God had David write Eighteen Psalms from the Summertime of Life—David moved out of his boyhood home, and started life on his own.
Event-1: David wrote three Psalms (11;59;64) about when he faced family conflict and danger as he fled from King Saul’s wrath (1 Sam. 19:11-18; 20:35-42).
David resolved to not quit when life was hard. Psalm 11: In the LORD I put my trust; how can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”? (v. 1).
David found strength in the Lord when he was weak. Psalm 59: To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, my God of mercy (v. 17).
David found that the Lord could uphold him, even through the emotional earthquakes of life. Psalm 64: The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and trust in Him. And all the upright in heart shall glory (v. 10).
Event-2: Next, David wrote a Psalm (52) about when he lost his job and was separated from his family, when he fled to Ahimelech the priest (1 Sam. 21:1-9).
David sought the Lord even with no job, no food, no home, no security. Psalm 52: I will praise You forever; and in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good (v. 9).
Event-3: Next, David wrote two Psalms (56;34) about moving to a new location under duress and facing multiple trials at Gath (1 Sam. 21:10-12 and 13-15).
David learned faith over fear. Psalm 56: Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? (vv. 3-4).
David magnified the Lord instead of his troubles. Psalm 34: I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together (vv. 1-3).
Event-4: David wrote five Psalms (13;40;57;70;142) about when he felt abandoned as he fled Gath, but grew in the Lord Living & Working with troubled men in Adullam’s Cave (1 Sam. 22:1-4).
David sought God even when he felt God abandoned him. Psalm 13: How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? … I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me (vv. 1, 5-6).
David allowed the Lord to pull him out of the pits. Psalm 40: I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps (vv. 1-2).
David allowed the Lord to lift and focus his emotions upwards instead of downwards. Psalm 57: My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. … For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, and Your truth unto the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth (vv. 7, 10-11).
David wanted the Lord magnified in every era of his life. Psalm 70: Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!” (v. 4).
David found only God could liberate him from times of depression. Psalm 142: Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name; the righteous shall surround me, for You shall deal bountifully with me” (v. 7).
Event-5: David wrote a Psalm (17) about when he faced constant insecurities and huge responsibilities as he and his men hid from King Saul in the forest of Hereth (1 Sam. 22:5; 23:1-14).
David trusted in the Lord, even when everyone else deserted him. Psalm 17: I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You from those who rise up against them (vv. 6-7).
Event-6: David wrote three Psalms (54;35-36) about when he was betrayed by men he trusted—not only the men of Keilah, but also others from Judah the Ziphites (1 Sam. 23:15-29; 1 Sam. 24).
David found out that only God can deliver us. Psalm 54: I will freely sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O LORD, for it is good. For He has delivered me out of all trouble; and my eye has seen its desire upon my enemies (vv. 6-7).
David asked God to vindicate him, rather than take matters into his own hands. Psalms 35-36: Let them not rejoice over me who are wrongfully my enemies; nor let them wink with the eye who hate me without a cause. … How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings (35:19; 36:7).
Event-7: David wrote a Psalm (53) about when he was wronged in a business deal but God delivered him from anger against Nabal “the fool” (1 Sam. 25).
David found God was far better at getting even than he was. Psalm 53: There they are in great fear where no fear was, for God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you; You have put them to shame, because God has despised them (v. 5).
Event-8: David wrote two Psalms (16;39) about when he suddenly lost his family, friends, and finances in the raid on Ziklag (1 Sam. 30).
David found God his safest investment for life. Psalm 16: I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved (v. 8).
David found that when he was weak, God is always strong. Psalm 39: “LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. … Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. … And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You” (vv. 4, 5, 7).
Season Three: God had David write Six Psalms from the Autumn Time of Life—David’s Strong Years as King.
David wrote two Psalms (38;32) about when He was tempted and failed miserably during the time he sinned with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11:27-12:14).
David found out that what he sowed, he also had to reap. Psalm 38: … I am ready to fall, and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare my iniquity; I will be in anguish over my sin. … Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation! (vv. 17-18, 21-22).
David learned that to whom much is forgiven, the same loves much. Psalm 32: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. … Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (vv. 1, 10-11).
David wrote a Psalm (51) about when he was painfully chastised and then restored (2 Sam. 12).
David learned all sin is ultimately against God. Psalm 51: For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight—that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge. … Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. … The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise (vv. 3-4, 10, 17).
David wrote three Psalms (3; 31; 63) about how he had to face the inevitable consequences of his sin, but when attacked, slandered, and abused, he still sang of his confidence in the Lord (2 Sam. 15:13-16:14).
David’s emotions rested in the protection of the Lord. Psalm 3: But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. Selah (vv. 3-4).
David experienced the confidence in trials that only God can give. Psalm 31: In You, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. … v. 3 For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me ….v.5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. …v.23-24 Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD (vv. 1, 3, 5, 23-24).
David could still rejoice even in deeply stressful times. Psalm 63: O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You ….v. 3-5 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied … and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips (vv. 1, 3-5).
Part Four: God had David write Four Psalms from the Winter Time of Life—David’s Waning Years.
David wrote two Psalms (18;71) about when He had to come to terms with old age and impending death, but his humble obedience led to joy as he used his last years for God’s glory (2 Sam. 22-23; 1 Kings 1-2).
David put into words his life-long desire for God. Psalm 18: v. 1-2 I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. … v. 46 The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted (vv. 1-2; 46).
David learned to never stop talking about God’s goodness. Psalm 71: v. 3 Be my strong refuge, for You are my rock and my fortress. v. 17-19 O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come. v. 24 My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long … (vv. 3, 17-19, 24).
David wrote his final two Psalms (23;116) about Gracefully Heading Toward Home as he learned to cling to the only One who could satisfy and complete him—Christ. (1 Kings 2)
David saw Heaven as Home and the Good Shepherd who would take him there. Psalm 23: v. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
David knew only God could safely keep him, so into His Hands he. Psalm 116: v. 3-4 The pains of death surrounded me, And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called upon the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!”
David’s incredible heart for the Lord continually gushed up rivers of worship even from the parched ground of difficult days!
In every stage of life God empowered David to turn his fears into opportunities of trusting the Lord David loved, more and more.
Life has seasons, much like the seasonal changes we watch around us each year. Spring is like youth; summer is so much like young adulthood; fall is like the height of our careers when everything is bright and golden; and winter’s quiet snow is when our days slowly fade like daylight’s hours are shortened.
Each of David’s seasons of life share that common thread of seeking to serve God, stay under His control, and glorify Him. ,
That’s the message to us today if we look closely, and listen to the desires of David’s heart, captured in the words of the Psalms. As we began, we will end at Psalm 70:1-4 and hear it right from David:
David wanted the Lord magnified in every era of his life.
Psalm 70:4 Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!”
Elizabeth Prentiss, the hymn-writer of “More Love to Thee, O Christ,” earnestly prayed for the empowerment to love Christ more and more—no matter the cost! For she, like David, craved intimacy with the Lord, as her words clearly reveal:
More love to thee, O Christ, more love to thee!
Hear thou the prayer I make on bended knee;
This is my earnest plea, more love, O Christ, to thee,
More love to thee, more love to thee!
Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;
Now thee alone I seek; give what is best:
This all my prayer shall be, more love, O Christ, to thee,
More love to thee, more love to thee!
Let sorrow do its work, send grief and pain;
Sweet are thy messengers, sweet their refrain,
When they can sing with me, more love, O Christ, to thee
More love to thee, more love to thee!
Then shall my latest breath whisper thy praise;
This be the parting cry my heart shall raise,
This still its prayer shall be, more love, O Christ, to thee,
More love to thee, more love to thee!
111113PM