Redefining Success: The Story of David

Growing up, I always thought David was near peak humanity. The giant slayer became king, and Jesus was called the son of David. He was referred to as a “man after God's own heart.” Michelangelo sculpted David. There are many other depictions of him in children’s Bibles, literature, and artwork. I think many of us have put him on a pedestal a little bit.

Rereading the story of David's life, we see very few periods of success and stability. After he kills Goliath, he finds himself on the run, hiding from Saul. There was a dispute over who should be king. God appointed David to be king, but Saul still had the crown. In this tension, Saul tries to kill David and drives him into hiding.

After he becomes king, David finds himself replaying the same drama. This time, however, it isn’t an enemy king who is trying to kill him. It’s his own son. David is running from Absalom, who declares himself to be king. He’s again forced into hiding. He is again in the wilderness, writing songs, and clinging to God alone for help.

By most standards, this isn’t a success. We would expect a legendary king to have an undisputed reign. We would hope that God would secure David and give him prosperity and peace. None of this seems to happen.

Yes, David does eventually overcome Absalom and restore the kingdom so he can pass it on to Solomon. But for most of his life, he is a man at war and in conflict. Is this a success?

I’ve been thinking about how this challenges us to redefine the word “success.” Some people want success to look like peace and prosperity. Success means that the mortgage is paid off, the kids are all happy and healthy, and that we can comfortably retire. Unfortunately, that’s not the way the Bible views success.

If that’s our definition of success, then even Jesus was anything but a success.

Studying David’s life, I’m learning that the definition of success is to cling to God in the ups and downs of life. What separated David from Saul and Absalom was that David defined his life, not by the throne he sat on, but by the throne he prayed toward. It was a blessing when David became the king of Israel. However, success came from the fact that God was the king of the universe. When he fled from Absalom, his goal was not to get his throne back. Back in the wilderness, he found himself re-appealing to the throne of heaven.

Success is based on the fact that God is on the throne, and that we seek him. Success in life isn’t marked by our investments and legacy of wealth. It is not even marked by our legacy of family. Ultimate success is marked by our legacy of faith.

I’m trying to remind myself of this every day. Would you join me in trying to reframe what success looks like? 

With You;

Pastor Tim