LORD, remember David and all his self-denial. – Psalm 132:1

Today’s Scripture Reading (August 31, 2019): Psalm 132

Ed Sheeran released his song “Eraser” on March 3, 2017. Sheeran admits that the song gave him a chance to vent a little on some of the things that had happened over the past five years. Sheeran says that "Friends and family are meant to be the ones who are there for you, 90% of the time they are, but every now and then there is the odd comment that just like sinks your soul." I liked the wording. It is amazing how the odd comments from people that we hoped would be standing with us always seem to penetrate our defenses. I think that friends and family are often the ones who have the greatest capacity to “sink our souls.”

The translator decides to use the word “self-denial” to describe the experiences of David. It is an interesting translation of the Hebrew word “`anah,” especially when it is applied to David. David was a great king, and a man after God’s own heart, but David also got himself into trouble because he did not deny himself. This is especially apparent in his lust for Bathsheba, his dealings with his family, and some aspects of his pride and strength. If David had denied himself a little more, he might have saved himself some heartache.

Maybe a better translation of the word is to return to the traditional presentation of the word here as “affliction” or even “troubles.” David had been a King who had suffered much during his life, and yet he had endured. And this was especially painful when it involved those close to him. For years, David had suffered at the hands of Saul, a man that David had supported and against whom he had refused to raise a hand. He was criticized by his family and some of his wives. One of David’s sons was guilty of raping one of his daughter’s. Twice his sons had tried to remove him as king so that they could take the throne for themselves. His people, while lauding his accomplishments, seemed hesitant to accept him as King. David had many critics among his contemporaries, but some of the most pointed complaints came from those closest to him. David was unquestionably a man of troubles.

And yet, through all of this, he became the King for which Israel would eventually yearn. And while there was much that would threaten to “sink his soul,” he remained the perfect king for Israel during his time on the throne. And maybe we need to remember, in those moments when those closest to us threaten to “sink our souls,” that God is still in control. We are the people God needs for our time. And he isn’t finished with us yet.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 1