David's Secret
“…but I am a man of prayer.”
Psalm 109:4
Everyone has their favorite biblical character – apart from, of course, Jesus! Yours might be Abraham or Esther or Daniel. Among the New Testament options, there are Peter, Paul, and Mary. (Not the folk group. Sorry…dated joke!)
My choice is David. Shepherd, musician, giant-killer, faithful friend, fugitive turned Robin Hood, military general, king. David, to my way of thinking, was one of the most incredible individuals who ever lived.
So, what was David’s secret? Was he gifted? Absolutely. Was he courageous? To be sure. Was he a great motivator? One of the best ever.
But in considering the true secret of David’s greatness, I stumbled upon a phrase that jumped out at me. It’s recorded in Psalm 109, one of the seventy-three psalms that David wrote. As with most of his psalms, this one flows out of what he was personally experiencing. In this case, it’s painful persecution. He writes…
…for people who are wicked and deceitful
have opened their mouths against me;
they have spoken against me with lying tongues.
With words of hatred they surround me;
they attack me without cause.
In return for my friendship they accuse me,
but I am a man of prayer. (Psalm 109:2-4)
Read that last line again…slowly.
Other versions translate the phrase, “I give myself to prayer (ESV)” or “I resort to prayer (AMP)” or “But I am in prayer (NASB).”
I Became Prayer
Interestingly, in the original Hebrew this multiword phrase is captured in one word: tephillah, which simply means “prayer.” As such, perhaps Charles Spurgeon best captured the meaning of this phrase. In Spurgeon’s view, David said in response to persecution, “I became prayer.”
What’s he saying here? Prayer became such a part of David’s life that it defined him. When hard times came…when challenges arose…David literally became a man characterized by prayer.
When hard times came…when challenges arose…David literally became a man characterized by prayer.
Few individuals have experienced loftier highs or deeper lows than David. What is significant to note is that in all occasions and locations, mountaintop or valley, David prayed.
David prayed simple prayers and he prayed complex prayers.
His prayers soared in worship and his prayers bowed in repentance.
He boldly declared his faith in God and he honestly stated his struggles with God.
David’s relationship with God was intimate and ongoing. And that relationship was entered into through prayer. Is it any wonder that God said of him, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart…? (I Samuel 13:14; Acts: 13:22)
For David, what defined him when life got hard was prayer. It was his automatic default.
What defines you?
What defines you when times get tough? Complaint? Worry? Depression? Fear? Power? Control? Manipulation?
So, how’s that working for you?
What defines you when times get tough? Complaint? Worry? Depression? Fear? Power? Control? Manipulation? How’s that working for you?
My guess is that while those responses might be the most natural, they certainly aren’t the most beneficial.
What would it look like if you changed your default behavior to prayer?
What would it look like if you changed your default behavior to prayer? What if in fact prayer began to define you? What would it take to get there?
Prayer:
Father, I’ve admired David for a long time.I may not have the gifts David had or the skills David possessed.But I can use him as an example to follow when it comes to seeking You in prayer.May prayer not only increasingly become my default in what I face, may it increasingly define who I am.
Devotionals for Every Day Disciples is brought to you by our partners.
To support Dave DeSelm Ministries by becoming a partner, CLICK HERE.