How Things Changed

But after he had taken the census, David’s conscience began to bother him. And he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt, LORD, for doing this foolish thing.” [2 Samuel 24.10] 

From a simple shepherd boy to the king of Israel, David's story was not really one of progression as much as it was one of digression.

David went from the battlefield as a shepherd boy having pleased both God and man with the blood of an enemy giant on his hands, to the palace as king of Israel having pleased neither God nor man with the blood of a trusted friend on his hands. How things changed.

From Psalm 18 to Psalm 51 we see this change in David. In Psalm 18, David is praising God for the great victories he had experienced. In Psalm 51, David is repentant and broken over his fall into sin with Bathsheba. In fact, perhaps the Psalms give us insight into David's life otherwise undetected.

He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the LORD supported me. He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me. The LORD rewarded me for doing right; he restored me because of my innocence. For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not turned from my God to follow evil. I have followed all his regulations; I have never abandoned his decrees. I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin. The LORD rewarded me for doing right. He has seen my innocence. [Psalm 18.16-24]

In David's praise of God, had he become proud? Could David's notable praise have become a distraction to his obedience to God? 

Exaltation of God is no substitute for obedience to God. Ever.

Father, today's thoughts are sobering. Have I been guilty of praising You when I really should just be repenting? The details of my life tell the real story (as did David's). May I not lose focus on giving up my own way, taking up my cross, and following Jesus. So be it.