Some of you might have wondered about the significance of David in the sovereign will of God over Israel and the world. Psalm 132 gives a little glimpse of the profound truth about the role of David in the plan of God. This is a royal psalm that describes God’s covenant with the house of David.

Who is David? Under the leadership of Joshua, the Jews stepped into the promised land of Israel after 400 years in Egypt and followed by 40 years in the wilderness. Then, they asked God for a king to rule over them which was a common phenomenon in the surrounding nations. And God agreed. The first king was Saul. But he felt threatened by David, his promising aide who defeated Goliath the giant. Though David was a shepherd boy, he rose to become a king who was truly after God’s own heart. But David, like any other king, had his own weaknesses. However, David’s heart was sensitive to God and he was willing to repent from his sinful ways. Our church’s sermon series is currently moving through the book of Ruth. And we get to know that Boaz and his wife Ruth are the great grandparents of David who is the Messianic line whereby Jesus descends (Ruth 4:21-22; Matt 1:5-6). [Beside the Psalms that are about David, read more about his life and kingship in 1, 2 Samuel; 1 Kings and 1 Chronicles.]

As you read Psalm 132, you can observe the four occurrences of David’s name (verses 1, 10, 11, 17). The other expressions about the meaning of the resting place of God, also appear frequently – “a place for the Lord” (v5), “a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob” (v5), “his dwelling place” (v7), “your resting place” (v8), “your throne” (v11, 12) “Zion” (v13), “his dwelling place” (v13), “my resting place” (v14).

Compared to King Saul, his son King Solomon and the other kings in the divided kingdom, David outshines them all with regards to his heart towards God, his love for the people under his rule as well as being a leader who is sensitive to sin areas in his life. It is by no coincidence but by the sovereign hand of the Lord, that God handpicks David to be the Messianic line of Jesus’ incarnation. Jesus the Messiah is not only the king of the Jews (a term used by the Roman guards to mock Him and eventually, they crucify Him), but He is also the Savior of the world now. And one day Jesus Christ will return to be the king over all principalities of this entire world. On that glorious day, every knee shall truly bow and every tongue confesses that Jesus is Christ the Lord (Phil 2:10-11).

Dear brothers and sisters, this is our Lord Jesus whom you and I believe and worship. He is the son of our Almighty God and Father. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. In our closing prayer, let us personalize the prayer that Peter gives on 1 Pet 1:8-9.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, “Though I have not seen You, I love You. Though I do not now see You, I believe in You and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of my faith, the salvation of my soul.” (1 Pet 1:8-9). I pray this in your name. Amen.