2 Samuel 22:26-27 To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.

This was part of David’s praise to the Lord when he realized how faithful God had been to him throughout his life. He had experienced just about every kind of trial and challenge life could throw at a human being. His life had been threatened by King Saul many times as a young man. He had fought and won many battles. At one point he had even been deposed by his own rebellious son Absalom. In this song of praise David seems to be taking stock of the paths he had travelled and was ascribing all praise to God for repeatedly rescuing him. At the height of his praise he stated that “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” (2 Samuel 22:31).

For me, what sets David apart is his humility. He achieved greatness but gave God the credit. He always depended on God and pursued his ways. And, yes, it is true that because he was subject to human passions like the rest of us, he once had one of his soldiers murdered so he could take his wife as his own.  When the prophet Nathan came to confront him about the magnitude of his sin, he prayed a prayer of repentance like no other. (Psalm 51).  He had learned the value of full disclosure before God and that whenever he failed, he could turn to God for restoration.

But how was David able to speak of God’s ways with such passion and eloquence? In 1 Samuel 13: 13 – 14 the prophet Samuel had rebuked King Saul for having failed to do what God had told him to do and indicated that as a result his kingdom would end. Samuel also told Saul that “the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people.” When the Lord selected David to be anointed King by Samuel, the Lord had declared, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7).  Samuel was commanded by God to “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” Once he was anointed, it is recorded that “from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.” (See 1 Samuel 16:13). I believe it was the reality of that anointing and the presence of the Spirit of the Lord that allowed David to know God in his perfection and commune with him the way he did throughout his life.

God knows our hearts, always. You alone know when the Lord “selected” you and the purpose for which he anointed you. Live in the light of that anointing and pursue him with all your heart. You have come this far by faith. If you have stumbled, behave like David – confess the sin and place your hope in the forgiveness of God who alone is perfect in all his ways.