In Psalm 89, verses 19 through 37 speak of how God chose David and set him up to be a great king. This comes as no surprise to anyone who has read the Bible or knows anything about Jewish history. David was the king who presided over the growth and stabilization of Israel as a nation.

It is a bit surprising that when Samuel went to the house of Jesse to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as king, David was the last one that either Jesse or Samuel thought had the raw material for kingship (the story is found in 1 Samuel 16). It does not appear that while David was growing up that anyone looked at him and said, “you’re going to be king one day.”

Even as king, David had his foibles. He was certainly not immune to scandal during his reign. For example, David had one of his soldiers murdered so that he could marry that soldier’s wife. Nor was David an exemplary father. He ignored one of his sons to the point where that son attempted to take the throne from David through civil war.

Yet, in spite of all of David’s mess, God chose to work through him. David chose to participate with God in God’s program.

It is good to be reminded of this since we may think that our own failures and weaknesses disqualify us from being of service to God. When we are tempted to think this way, it would be good to remember the words of Paul:

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9–10, ESV)

Our weakness can be used by God to accomplish his purposes. Take some time to think about that.