His strength made perfect in our weakness...

The ministry we're currently engaged in keeps us in reflection on the central theme of our April letter: God's sufficiency most revealed in us by our lack of it; the great treasure we possess shown to most striking effect by the fact that we have only "earthen vessels" in which to hold it. Still, we lament with the Apostle Paul and cry out with David. David is such a great example for us...

Leader of the Mighty Men, such a heroic and beloved leader, in fact, that his pining out loud for a drink from Bethlehem's well inspired three of his most valiant warriors to break through the Philistine Army's line just to get him a drink (2 Sam. 23, 1 Chr. 11)

We think of David as the courageous warrior, poetic and philosophical, yet compassionate and emotional in scenes such as 2 Samuel 18. He represents us, then, not only as we wish to be, but as we are, particularly in his mournful Psalms about being downcast, feeling God is far from him, begging God to incline His ear.

The courageous leader of the Mighty Men admits, "what time I am afraid, I will trust in thee" (Pslam 56:3), "...my strong enemy, and..them which hated me...were too strong for me" (Psalm 18:17)

The devout pleader of Psalm 7: "...judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me", is the betrayer of one of his own favored regiment.

We are grateful for the example of David, the man after God's own heart, (Acts 13:22), in his intimite revelations of weakness, fear and selfishness. In the end, this is a man with real integrity, enough to admit to his failings and allow God to deal with them in His own way. (2 Sam. 24:14; Psalm 51:7)

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