I believe everyone is familiar with the encounter that David had with Goliath. David was a teenager. Goliath was a 9’9” tall, seasoned, powerful warrior. Everyone knows that David fearlessly felled this giant with a pebble employing a slingshot, perhaps the crudest of all instruments. However, I am convinced that there is more to the story. When David asked to be the one to fight the giant, he repeatedly referred to “the living God”. It is worth considering what David meant by his expression “the living God”. And I am convinced that it is this perspective that is the key to his miraculous success – one that we can appropriate for our own life and service.

The phrase “the living God” is a powerful expression. The addition of the word “living” implies active and involved. From this, we recognize that David viewed God as intimately involved in the lives of His children – involved in every aspect of our lives. We may interpret that David viewed God as hearing and responding, and with compassion and power in response to his needs. God demonstrated that David’s understanding and trust were not misplaced. There is no way we can explain in human terms what David accomplished during that encounter with Goliath.

We learn more about “the living God” and His interaction with fallen man as we watch David’s ensuing life unfold. David is an anomaly to us because when he was King, he allowed his view of God to lapse when he sinned with Bathsheba. And he paid dearly for that lapse. He was disciplined severely by his Lord for his disobedience, reminding him again that our Lord is “the living God”.

Even as David responded to God as he was confronted with his sin through God’s prophet, we see his view of our Master as the “living God”:

Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. Wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me…So You are right when You pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge…Surely You desire integrity in the inner self, and You teach me wisdom deep within. Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt. God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of Your salvation to me (Psalm 51:1-2,5-12).

When David pleaded with God “Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me”, he recognized that he could not take God’s presence on his behalf for granted. He understood the need for God’s forgiveness and the fact that he could not automatically expect this as a part of His being “the living God” – and certainly not as a result of our Lord being an object of worship. When David pleaded “God, create in me a clean heart”, the word he chose for “create” means not to improve something blemished or imperfect but rather to “create out of nothing”, recognizing that God would have to produce something for which there was not the raw material or a starting point within David’s life. There is nothing David could provide out of which God could create a clean heart. This would have to be a work of God alone.

Possibly, Psalm 23 is one of the tenderest songs that David wrote to God, written years after David’s sin with Bathsheba. In it, David expressed “He restores my soul” (23:3). Again, we see the view of “the living God”.

Listen to David’s heart expressed years after sinning with Bathsheba:

The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the LORD; for He laid its foundation on the seas and established it on the rivers…. Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates! Rise up, ancient doors! Then the King of glory will come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The LORD of Hosts, He is the King of glory. (Psalm 24:1-2,8-10)

Here, we see David expressing an intimate friendship, one that would reflect that God is “the living God”. Listen to the words of David later in his life:

A man’s steps are established by the LORD, and He takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the LORD holds his hand. I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging for bread. He is always generous, always lending, and his children are a blessing. (Psalms 37:23-26)

These are the words of a man who experienced his Lord as “the living God” throughout a lifetime. We learn a lot from David’s life about this One who is “the living God”. He is intimately involved in our lives. He responds to our obedience to Him, and He disciplines us when we disobey Him. As “the living God”, He does not leave us to guess what He wants us to do. He makes it very clear as we call upon Him. In response, He promises to hold our hand. What more can a Statesman wish for?

David is considered to have been a good King, by God and man. He is representative of human beings with an imperfect nature desiring to do good for those he was called to serve. I propose for your consideration that his view of our Creator as “the living God” played a key part in his life and service. My challenge is for you to get to know God as David did and to have Him as your “living”, active partner throughout your life, guiding you and holding your hand.

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The analogy of the shepherd caring for the sheep seems appropriate when considering the process of Government decision-makers operating on behalf of the governed.

Ted Sorensen, special counsel to President John Kennedy, described that the “ideal” White House decision-making process should encompass:

…first: agreement on the facts; second: agreement on the overall policy objective; third: a precise definition of the problem; fourth: a canvassing of all possible solutions, with all their shades and variation; fifth: a list of all the possible consequences that would flow from each solution; sixth: a recommendation and final choice of one alternative; seventh: the communication of that selection; and eighth: provision for its execution.

This is clearly a cautious approach in order to ensure that decisions are made correctly. This reminds us of the need for a cautious and thorough response to the needs of the sheep. And it represents compassion for the sheep. This makes sense when we remember that six times in His instruction manual, God refers to the people as “sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Responding to this, Jesus taught:

I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me, as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep. (John 10:14-15)

Jesus’ compassion for the sheep He saw as “without a shepherd” provides an interesting analogy to the challenges facing those who make decisions on behalf of others. The goal is to make decisions truly in the best interest of the sheep. Jesus said: “I know My own sheep”. Jesus is speaking of knowing who the sheep truly are and what they need as attempts are made to make decisions to best meet those needs.

Why should we consider the analogy of “sheep without a shepherd”? Sheep are extremely insecure, easily frightened animals. They are unable to defend themselves against the challenges that lurk around them. Here, the analogy is clear as the challenges facing humans are often beyond their capacity to overcome by employing their own limited resources. They are extremely vulnerable and need the protection of good-hearted shepherds making decisions to protect them.

Humans, as sheep, live with a multitude of fears. Human shepherds present us with a picture for the Statesman. What we can learn from the analogy of the shepherd in becoming Statesmen?

1. Listening to the sheep. The lives of most Government decision-makers are far removed from the lives of those on behalf of whom they make life-impacting decisions. President Abraham Lincoln provided an amazing example of listening to the needs of his flock. He had an “open door policy” to his office that allowed individuals to address needs directly to the President without an appointment during several blocks of time each week. He made it a priority to listen to the people from all levels of society to gauge their thinking and their needs on a variety of subjects. Rather than rushing to action, he took the time to hear their hearts before acting. Hence, it seems ironic that the Government decision-maker would ever consider that the needs of the people should ever get in the way of the “more important” work of Government.
2. Compassion. After hearing hearts, the shepherd applies compassion for the sheep in determining the course of action. Remember that Jesus gave us the model when he said “I lay down My life for the sheep.” This level of compassion gives the sheep confidence in the shepherd and gives the best hope for decisions being made in their interest.
3. Knowing what the governed really need, not just what they say they need. This is where it is essential to know what our Maker wants for His creation, not necessarily what we imagine for His creation or even what His creatures ask for. In Isaiah 55:8-9, God warns us to be careful about thinking we are adequate in our own understanding:
   

   “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” This is the LORD’s declaration. “For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

   We are warned against thinking that discern the appropriate decision in our own wisdom. Our thoughts are not automatically the same as His thoughts. And the sheep’s thoughts are not His thoughts. Both the thoughts of the sheep and the shepherds can be dangerously misled by our human blind-spots.

We must remember that there is one Over-Shepherd with a plan for great blessing and that Government decision-makers are under-shepherds responsible to carry out those plans.

This is where we must remember to appeal to our all-knowing, wise Heavenly Father for wisdom:

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him (James 1:5).

What must I do to become more like the Good Shepherd (Jesus) in caring for the sheep entrusted to me?

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King David provides us with invaluable perspective when it comes to governing a nation within God’s current-day system.

Who is David? Is he King? Or is he the man who loved God as much as any man who ever walked on this earth? He is both.

Is he the one who sinned so badly that, even though he had hundreds of wives and mistresses, he desired another man’s wife, causing him to be responsible for that man’s death? Or is he the one who wrote the most beautiful love songs to our unseen Creator? He is both.

In spite of his human shortcomings, which he shares with all humanity, we are told:

David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people. (2 Samuel 8:15)

As we consider this King, let us reflect on his conclusions at the end of his life as expressed in 2 Samuel 23:1-4:

These are the last words of David: The declaration of David son of Jesse, the declaration of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, the favorite singer of Israel: The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me, His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, “The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God, is like the morning light when the sun rises on a cloudless morning, the glisten of rain on sprouting grass.”

I believe every leader should listen to David’s insights. King David has completed his governing responsibility which spanned 40 years. With his faults, he sought to walk closely with his God and, in the process, perhaps discerned the mind of God for those governing more than any other human being. Hence, his conviction of what his Master requires of those who serve in this position is worth noting:

“The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God.”

David understood the challenges that the administrator of a nation faces, based upon his experience of attempting to walk with God and to shepherd his people. He understood the seduction to power. He understood what it is to give in to that seduction which power affords. He understood what it is to betray the trust God gave him, and he understood God’s grace extended toward him to forgive him and restore him to his original heart’s desire to be God’s servant.

David understood what God’s perfect choice of a ruler would be like. I believe he looked forward to the day when that would become a reality through Jesus’ eventual reign. In the meantime, while waiting for that perfect day, he understood what God intends for our nations today:

“The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God.”

God has designed Government in such a way that imperfect man can effectively administer justice to imperfect humanity. David had two natures, like every governing official and like every human being. His failure came when he did not hold his selfish nature in check. Perhaps, he made the error of attempting to do this in his own strength. The Apostle Paul tells us clearly in Romans 8:12- 13:

So then, brothers, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

We must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to have victory over our selfish nature. We even need God’s power to obey Him. Let us seek God’s help daily in becoming the leader that God intends for our people:

“The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God.”

Please know of my desire to support you in this journey. You and I are both human beings who stumble. However, I am confident that our Creator and Lord desires for you to be:

“The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God.”

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