Still Chosen

What I like about reading the Bible is landing on verses that hit close to home. This one tied to David is one of those for me. In a lot of ways, David shows just how flawed a man can be and still stay connected to God.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” - Psalms 40:1–2

Reflection

If you’ve never been in a slimy pit, consider yourself fortunate. If you’ve never had to wait on God to straighten things out, consider yourself lucky. Waiting is hard. Our culture is not built for it. It feels like forever, even though in the scope of a lifetime it usually isn’t. That’s easier for me to say now being over 60 than it would have been at 25.

David. Giant slayer. Adulterer. Murderer. Fugitive. A man who broke the law. And still the bloodline God chose for His Son. Jesus came through that line.

Think about that for a minute.

God didn’t make that choice on the fly. There was purpose in it. Instead of asking “why him,” maybe the better response is just “thank you.” Because what that shows is something about God’s character, not David’s perfection.

God shows His love over and over again. His patience is something I don’t fully understand. I get a glimpse of it as a father, but mine has limits. His doesn’t. And this isn’t just a New Testament idea. This comes straight out of the Old Testament. Same God.

Like David, we all drift. Our faith rises and falls. One season we’re strong, the next we’re not. The same man who faced down a giant later made choices that wrecked lives. That’s not because he was uniquely broken. It’s because he was human.

And if I’m honest, that makes his story hit closer to home.

God had other options, but He chose that line anyway. That tells me this isn’t about finding perfect people. It’s about what God does with imperfect ones.

So where does that leave us?

It leaves us looking a lot like David. Strong at times, weak at others. Capable of good, capable of messing things up. And in need of God to pull us out when we get stuck. Because He doesn’t just pull us out of the pit. He puts us on solid ground. And if we’re paying attention, we come out of it a little wiser. A little more aware. A little more grounded in who He is.

The question is what we do next.

A wise man learns from it and stays close. A foolish one drifts right back toward the pit. I’ve had my moments. More than I’d like to admit. And every time, God pulled me out.

That’s what I hold onto. No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, God hears. He responds. And He decides what comes next. That solid ground He gives you, it’s yours to stand on. What you do with it matters.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you are so gracious to us. You are so very patient with our failings. Thank you for your willingness to work with us and guide us to better places. Thank you for allowing us to fall and to find our way back up. Thank you for all those times you had to help me find my way back on your path. Father, please keep this path illuminated and when the world gets noisy help me drown out that noise with your voice. I pray this in the name of Jesus my Savior and Lord. Amen.