Many people know the pain of never feeling like they were enough by the standards of a father or another authority figure. When we come to our Heavenly Father, He provides the exact opposite of what many of us have experienced.
David wrote Psalm 103 as an expansive look at Yahweh’s faithfulness. In his awe of Yahweh, David couldn’t help but express his desire that all that resided within him mount up for genuine worship to the One who deserved his all. David’s story is unique in how our observation of him begins. King Saul is in charge but shouldn’t be. The people wanted a king with traits like his, but Yahweh wanted something different. Israel wanted a king who would impress their eyes (1 Samuel 9:2), but God wanted one who would mirror His heart (1 Samuel 13:14).
When Yahweh commissioned the priest Samuel to locate this new king, he went to the house of a man named Jesse. When asked to gather all his sons, Jesse didn’t even bother calling his youngest in because he was too busy doing the worst job in the family – shepherding (1 Samuel 16:11).
Can you imagine what it must have felt like to realize that the kingly selection committee was looking for someone in your house and your own father didn’t bother to present you? Talk about rejection.Â
While David’s earthly father may have disregarded David, his Heavenly Father esteemed him.
1 My soul, bless the LORD,
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 My soul, bless the LORD,
and do not forget all his benefits.3 He forgives all your iniquity;
he heals all your diseases.
4 He redeems your life from the Pit;
he crowns you with faithful love and compassion.
5 He satisfies you with good things;
your youth is renewed like the eagle.6 The LORD executes acts of righteousness
Psalm 103:1-6
and justice for all the oppressed.
David couldn’t forget any of the benefits Yahweh had given him (Psalm 103:2). His blessings were too thorough to count. Yahweh forgave David of all his sins and healed all his diseases (Psalm 103:3). This compassionate God would not do anything partially but ultimately redeemed David (Psalm 103:4).Â
While the biblical archive provides plenty of evidence that David wandered into trouble, he did know that Yahweh was the only one able to satisfy him completely (Psalm 103:5). David believed that no matter how difficult his opposition became, he could trust in Yahweh to bring the justice he needed. Yahweh remembered well His promises given to His people, and He would care for them completely.
You might not know the sting of being overlooked for a king’s position, but you probably know what it is like to feel abandoned by those you love. You might have had your father disregard your capabilities, but it is not that way with Yahweh. He knows us completely and loves us thoroughly.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
