David: Ultimate Fighter/Ultimate Worshipper

By Pastor Ryan in Worship on 11/24/09

From simple shepherd boy to the greatest King Israel would ever know, the life of David is one of the most amazing, dramatic, and thrilling stories found in the Old Testament.  As we will discover together over the course of this next sermon series, “The Ultimate Fighter”, David defied all the odds.  From slaying bears and lions while watching over his family’s flocks, to demolishing opposing armies and slaying Giants, David truly was a warrior at heart.

However, David was far more than just your typical brute military hero.  He was a musician, songwriter, singer, and most importantly, a worshipper.  Seventy-three of the Psalms are attributed to his authorship, and at one time he was even a court musician for King Saul.  So anointed a musician was David, that when he played his harp before the King, a distressing spirit would leave Saul which allowed him peace.  Worship was a major part of David’s persona and a major focus of his life…

As a shepherd boy, while out in the fields all alone, we find him singing and making music to the Lord in the quietness of isolation and anonymity.  It is here that he learned to sing, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” -Psalm 23 As a fugitive, while hiding in caves from Saul’s men sent to kill him; he worshipped during a time of desperation and uncertainty. “When I am afraid I will trust in you…though and army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.”  -Psalm 27  
As a soldier he declared in worship, “Praise be to the Lord my Rock who trains my hands for war. The Lord is my light and my salvation, of whom shall I fear?” -Psalm 144:1/Psalm 27:1 And as king, he looked to the true King of Israel and worshipped the King of kings, “The Lord reigns let the nations tremble…I will exalt you, my God the King… May all the kings of the earth praise you, O Lord…Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.”  -Psalm 99:1/Psalm 145:13

After establishing his kingdom in Jerusalem, David returned the Ark of the Covenant, representing God’s presence and glory, to the city were we find him leading the whole nation of Israel in celebration.  “With all their might before the Lord, with songs and with harps, tambourines, and cymbals.” He himself led the assembly as he “danced before the Lord with all his might” to the shouts of the people and the sound of trumpets. -2 Sam 6/1 Chron. 15 After placing the Ark in the Tent he had prepared for it, he appointed Levite worshippers to continually be present before the Ark “to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord.” Some played lyres and harps; others sounded cymbals and blew trumpets regularly before the Ark.  -1 Chron. 16 David also had 288 Levites, young and old, trained and skilled in music for the Lord.  For all generations of worshippers that followed him David truly set the bar for passionate worship!

David was not only The Ultimate Fighter; he was also The Ultimate Worshipper!  His story is the embodiment of the triumphant underdog.  But we know his accomplishments where not due to his physical stature and abilities but rather through God’s divine empowerment. He was a man after God’s own heart, because he truly glorified God in his heart! It was through this intimacy and closeness with God that David received this empowerment!

As you engage the story of David’s life throughout the upcoming sermon series, let me challenge you as well to pursue the passion for worship that David obtained!  ALLOW GOD TO EMPOWER YOU!

Back to Top