David was not chosen because he was righteous. He became righteous because God chose him.

If we do not keep this distinction in mind, we muddle up the gospel and we become moralistic. God did not search throughout the earth and found the “man after His own heart” in David. God’s choosing him made him the man he became.

Then why did God choose him in the first place? That we don’t know. It’s God’s prerogative. If there was an external reason outside of God as to why God chose Him, then God wouldn’t be God. He is absolutely and totally sovereign over His choices. He is not compelled by anything outside Himself to choose a certain person or a thing.

Do you know what this implies? You are no better or worse than any of the biblical heroes. You are no worse than Abraham, for example. His father was an idol worshipper, and he would have been too unless God called him out of it. (Joshua 24:2)

Therefore, be bold in coming to God. You do not come to Him through your own righteous living. You come to Him in humility and weakness. But you do come to Him also in confidence because God only accepts those who come in humility and weakness.

Put on the righteousness of Jesus and cover your filthy self. Then, strive to live up to the holy garment that is on you!

PH