As I mentioned earlier, during his time of tribulation, David composed several of the Psalms.
Let’s take a look at Psalm 3, which he wrote during Absalom’s rebellion.
“A psalm of David, when he fled from Avshalom his son:
Adonai, how many enemies I have!
How countless are those attacking me;
how countless those who say of me,
“There is no salvation for him in God.” (Selah)
But you, Adonai, are a shield for me;
you are my glory, you lift my head high.
With my voice I call out to Adonai,
and he answers me from his holy hill. (Selah)
I lie down and sleep, then wake up again,
because Adonai sustains me.
I am not afraid of the tens of thousands
set against me on every side.
Rise up, Adonai!
Save me, my God!
For you slap all my enemies in the face,
you smash the teeth of the wicked.
Victory comes from Adonai;
may your blessing rest on your people. (Selah)”
Take a look at the part I bolded, which is verse 3:
“…how countless those who say of me,
‘There is no salvation for him in God.'”
Many around King David, both his friends and enemies, were telling him he was done for.
They were claiming he had no hope for salvation in this world or the next.
Now here’s a truth that may surprise you.
From a Torah perspective, they are right.
Why can I say that?
Because there is no legal atonement for the sins that David committed.
There is no remedy for murder and adultery in the Law of Moses.
So David’s accusers are correct.
From a purely legalistic or earthly perspective, David is indeed done for.
However, as we discussed yesterday, for those who trust in the Lord…
While the Lord will not waive the earthly consequences for your sins…
There is spiritual deliverance for those who trust in Him.
In the light of eternity, that is all that matters.
This is God’s grace at work.
Now, there’s something else about verse 3 that’s fascinating.
Look at the part where it says, “There is no salvation for him in God.”
The original Hebrew word for “salvation” is interesting.
Have any idea what that word might be?
It’s Yeshua.
That’s right.
It’s the very name of our Messiah!
The people are saying:
“There is no yeshua for him in God.”
That David is so cursed by God…
And so great are his sins…
That his only final destination is hell…
Regardless of how repentant he is.
Yet, David knows they are wrong.
David is so confident in God’s grace that immediately after verse 3, David confidently proclaims:
But you, Adonai, are a shield for me;
you are my glory, you lift my head high.
With my voice I call out to Adonai,
and he answers me from his holy hill.
This leads to one of the most inspiring takeaways I’ve ever written about in this blog.
Are you worried that God has abandoned you because of your past sins?
That maybe your behavior has been so horrible that you’re beyond forgiveness?
Perhaps you feel that it’s useless to even approach the Lord, given the despicable things you’ve done in your life.
I know I’ve felt that way.
Well, I’ve got some wonderful news for you.
There is Yeshua in God for you!
Just as there was for King David.
David was 100% confident there was Yeshua (salvation) for him, provided he maintained his trust in the Lord.
See, David wasn’t depending on works for his salvation.
He knew he was done for if he took that route.
All he could do was repent with a contrite heart…
And 100% surrender to God’s grace for justification and righteousness.
That is what you must do too.
Now, having said all that, by all means, do not think I’m saying your behavior or obedience to God’s commands don’t matter.
David’s life is a strong testament to the fact there are dire earthly consequences to sinning.
Even in the New Testament era, after the death and resurrection of Yeshua, Ananias and Sapphira were killed by God for trespassing on His holy property.
I’ve said this a million times before, but let’s make it a million and one times.
By His grace, God saved Israel from bondage in Egypt FIRST…
And then afterward gave them His Torah to obey for holy living.
Got it?
Salvation by grace came first.
Afterward, obedience was expected to be the appropriate response.
The Torah, or the Law of Moses, has never been and never will be a vehicle to achieve salvation.
If you try to rely on your righteous behavior as a path to salvation, you’re doomed!
King David knew that reality all too well.
Salvation is by God’s grace alone.
Yeshua provides salvation.
Torah provides the roadmap to walk AFTER you’ve been saved.
That’s the way it was back then.
That’s the way it is now.
That’s the way it has always been…
And will always be.
Ya feel me?
Done.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith—and this is not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God—not by works,
so that no one can boast.“
Ephesians 2:8-9
“He saved us, not because of righteous things
we had done, but because of his mercy.
He saved us through the washing of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
Titus 3:5
“And if by grace,
then it cannot be based on works;
if it were, grace would no longer be grace.”
Romans 11:6
“For the grace of God has appeared
that offers salvation to all people.”
Titus 2:11
“Who has saved us and called us to a holy life
—not because of anything we have done
but because of his own purpose and grace.
This grace was given us in Messiah Yeshua
before the beginning of time.”
2 Timothy 1:9
“But when the kindness and love of God
our Savior appeared, he saved us,
not because of righteous things
we had done, but because of his mercy.”
Titus 3:4-5
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