David was called “A man after God’s own heart”. What a wonderful title, yet he was far from perfect by any stretch of the word. Yet, there was something so very honest and sincere in his love for the Lord. This “man after God’s own heart” deeply loved God with everything in him, just as the Scripture in Deuteronomy states, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind.” David had that beautiful and deep love for the Lord. Over half of the Psalms were written by the young shepherd boy who became King. And as you read through the Psalms, one after another, you can see his great passion, true dedication, and profound love for the Lord.

 

Imagine the young boy, David, with me…

 

Imagine him sitting all alone in the fields, just as the sun begins going down and stretching its long rays of fading light across the vast rolling hills and valleys. The fragile, yellow flowers, filled with an ever-so-gentle fragrance, scattered along the hills, which seem to lift their heads and smile as they happily catch the breeze in order to dance, making everyone keenly aware that this was their favorite time of the day.

 

The birds become still overhead and quietly come to a hush as the soothing sound of the harp echoes against the leaves on the trees and then bounces off into the far distant Judean mountains. The sheep generously dotted along the valley path seemed to respond to the shepherds’ voice, as if signaling the time had come for shutting down and closing the blinds on the day. The sweet, precious little lambs, along with each newborn babe, are trying to keep up, still laughing and skipping through the field as if not a care in the world.

 

I can envision David closing his eyes and slowly strumming a melody on the well-worn strings woven across his personally crafted harp as he lifts his voice of praise to the Lord. His own great and personal Shepherd.

 

I can envision David as a young boy, wondering how he could ever be of service to the Lord, something he desperately wanted. How could God use a young, ruddy, small-framed, little shepherd boy such as he? What could a small, forgotten young child like him possibly do? He had no idea, but he knew that he loved the Lord with everything within him. And he knew that he would be ready and willing at a moment’s notice to do whatever His Great Shepherd called him to do.

 

He had learned to trust mightily in the Lord while staying out in the fields. More times than he could count, God had protected him and his sheep from wild and hungry wolves, lions, and bears. David never backed down because he knew his strength came from the Lord. David wanted, more than anything, to honor his Lord, and if he was ever given the chance, he would do it with every ounce of strength within him. He would do it with all his heart.

 

Later, David grew into a man. He became successful as a strong and mighty warrior. David was well-known throughout the land. No longer fighting beasts of the field, but the opposing beasts of the nation of Israel. But after a lifetime of battles with the surrounding enemies and staying on the run from Saul, David would feel the burden of life. Perhaps, he became overwhelmed with the struggle and the injustice of it all. Even after obtaining the kingship and experiencing the honor of the throne, there would also exist the extreme heaviness that comes with it.

 

Perhaps, when he grew old, he became occupied with the enormous duties and responsibilities of leading a nation and ruling a kingdom. Perhaps things got complicated as he grew tired and weary.

 

I wonder if, as an old man, if he felt the brokenness over past sins, failed decisions, and many family heartaches. I wonder if he ever looks back through time to earlier years. I wonder if he ever took time to rest… with just his harp. The comforting sounds of his constant friend, who was always with him in his youth. The instrument that had always brought him solace and closeness to his God, like nothing else.

 

I wonder if he ever revisited the fields of his youth in Bethlehem, the place just to the south outside of his palace walls, the very place where he always seemed to feel the very presence of God. The rolling fields brought him such joy, peace, and calmness of spirit. I wonder if he longed for the days past when things were simple. I wonder if he longed for the days when he was just a young shepherd boy with all the time in the world to sing to the Lord. When his days were quiet, long and slow, filled with lifted prayers, fresh written poems, and newly sung songs, all for an audience of One.

 

I wonder if he missed those days from long ago. Days that kept him centered and focused on the most important thing in his life, the Lord. The very One for whom he wrote these words:

 

 

Let’s, you and I, continue to return to that quiet place again and again. The place where we feel God’s presence, a place where our hearts long for the Great Shepherd. The place where our soul is filled. The place where we can sit and talk with our sweet Shepherd alone. Just the two of us, where we can sing our song to Him, and to Him only.

 

He is there. Quietly waiting for us to return to him. The field is open, the birds are chirping, and the flowers are dancing. The wind is speaking gently to us to come and rest. Walk through the fields to where He is waiting. Slow down in our busyness and return to the beautiful table prepared by the Lord, just for us. He wants to fill our hearts, restore our souls, and lead us on the path of righteousness.

 

Once we spend that precious time dwelling for a moment together, we can walk away with our hearts full and our cup abundantly overflowing and running over… but just until we need to return again… the next day… for another filling of His goodness and mercy once again.

 

The Lord is MY Shepherd. Is he yours?