1. For certain reasons I’m very intrigued with the life of David, maybe more than the average person. He defines for me the model of relationship with God. He was like a child with God – extremely open, extremely sincere, extremely transparent; #Illuminare
2. …though to be honest I don’t know if it makes any sense not to be open and honest with God. He knows about whatever it is anyway. He has infrared technology capacity. He sees things in the dark. #Illuminare
3. David was not an insufferably religious fellow. He recognised he’s a product of grace and that made him humble. #Illuminare
4. There was something about the architecture of David’s heart. If you confront him with it he’ll own up to it. And he’ll bow to superior proposition. He had no point to prove. Healthy self-esteem. #Illuminare
5. I’m combing through the records of his life and in the next few weeks I’ll be sharing my findings with you, things I’ve gleaned. We’ll adapt all the stuff to 21st century realities. Here we go... #Illuminare
6. History edits chronicles. Which is why the entire narrative of a man’s life can be reduced to just one thing. A tyrant may achieve economic miracles for example but he’ll only be remembered for his tyranny. #Illuminare
7. History also edits the life of good guys. It’s like history searches for that one thing that gives heroic summary. Martin Luther King for example took a multi issue approach to the subject of civil rights but all we ever talk about is that “I have a dream” speech of his.
8. History did editorial work on David too. When we think David we automatically think Goliath as if that’s all he achieved in life. Unfortunately that’s what made him a national hero. It’s what turned him into a multi-generational global phenomenon. History can be brutally kind!
9. As per the rest of David’s life the gossip would of course be particular about mentioning the Bathsheba affair. But even if we add that to the mix David only turns into a 2D cardboard character, up from 1D. #Illuminare
10. Why did God insert the Bathsheba affair in the narrative of David’s life? Not every affair is recorded in scriptures but this was. #Illuminare
11. In that Bathsheba scandal we see an imperfect David, and it makes him relatable. We see lust in graphic format, we see greed as well. We can see ourselves in him – our humanity and follies. #Illuminare
12. If there’s one thing we can learn from David it’s the fact that God has absorbent capacity. When we make mistakes we shouldn’t run away from God we should run to him. It’s all about relationship. #Illuminare
13. David was perhaps the first reality star. His entire life was open, including his thoughts. The Kardashians had nothing on him. #Illuminare
14. Now, here’s the irony: the whole Goliath drama probably lasted all of one hour, at best two if you add some of the preliminary stuff. But the primary segment of the drama was a maximum of one hour. One hour can define your life! #Illuminare
15. In just one hour David became a folk hero. A song was composed about him and the song went viral. It was all over social media. Years after the release of that song other nationals were still referencing it. The Philistine generals made reference to it. 1 Samuel 29:5.
16. Of course the transition from shepherd boy to national hero couldn’t have been easy for David. Ask any overnight celebrity. One day you’re a nobody, the next day you can’t go out without being mobbed. #Illuminare
17. David couldn’t go to movies. There were the babes. Don’t forget it was the women who composed that song. Even the king’s daughter fell madly in love him without ever meeting him. #Illuminare
18. He had pop appeal, like a boy band leader. Which is somewhat true since David was a singer-composer. He was also a guitar player. They called it harp in those days. On top of all this he was wickedly handsome. There was that freshness. The Bible expression is “ruddy.”
19. The fame would become an albatross and it soon landed David in soup. No, he didn’t impregnate any girl or have baby mamas. His problem was political. At the rate things were going he could run for President. He had the votes. The king quickly declared him enemy of the state.
20. Truth is it was that song that caused him all the trouble. The song says Saul has slain thousands but David ten thousands. Now, depending on who’s listening it was either a stupid pop song or inflammatory rhetoric – speech to embarrass the President. #Illuminare
21. There was that old saying in Israel – one shall put to flight a thousand, but two shall put to flight ten thousand. Deuteronomy 32:30. Going by that logic the song essentially implied David was worth two King Sauls in battle. #Illuminare
22. Of course the women didn’t read it that way but Saul did. Wires began to touch in his brain and David became a marked man. He had to flee into exile. He was so desperate he ran to the Philistines, Israel’s nemesis. #Illuminare
23. A lot can happen in one hour. Darkness can turn into light, shame can transform into glory, hopelessness can give birth to life. David’s life was transformed in one hour. #Illuminare
24. Sometimes all a friend needs from us is one hour. Just one hour. Jesus was famously perturbed the disciples couldn’t stay up to pray with him for one hour. That was in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was at his lowest ebb and he needed support. #Illuminare
25. When Jesus asked the disciples to pray with him it wasn’t so the cross could be averted. He was fated for crucifixion. All he needed was prayer support. #Illuminare
26. Prayer is not always about issue cancellation. The support Jesus asked for was to garner strength to pass through the valley of the shadow of death not to void crucifixion. We need strength for trials. In peril we need prayer partners. #Illuminare
27. Can you wake up in the middle of the night to pray for a friend going through tribulation? Can you pray for one hour? When the Spirit of God prompts you to pray for someone can you spare one hour? #Illuminare
28. When the Bible says redeem the time our one-hour citation becomes more poignant. You have to make the most of your time. (Ephesians 5:16). #Illuminare
29. But then this statement from Solomon also comes into view: “Remember your creator in the days of your youth...” Ecclesiastics 12:1. The days of youth is composed of several hours. #Illuminare
30. Will you like to give your life to Christ this hour? Please pray this prayer: “Father I acknowledge that I am a sinner, that Jesus died for me, that you raised him from the dead. Father please forgive me. I accept Jesus today as my Lord and my Saviour. Amen.” #Illuminare
31. To read David Chapter 1: One Hour Can Define Your Life go to myilluminare.com/david-chapter-…. #Illuminare
32. The e-version of my new book, The Genesis Project is now available for purchase and download at genesisprojectonline.com. #Illuminare
33. © Leke Alder | talk2me@lekealder.com. #Illuminare
