In my estimation, the second most important sculpture in Rome is Bernini’s, David, located in Villa Borghese despite the fact that most people seem to be more familiar with Michelangelo’s nonchalant stance of David. However Bernini’s sculpture of David defeating Goliath is so much more powerful and majestic. It both invites and evokes a pensive response.

As I stood in Villa Borghese contemplating the intense emotion Bernini portrayed in David’s face, 2 thoughts were brought to my mind about David’s victorious life: 1) He sought God’s voice/His words above man’s and 2)  he understood his identity.  Historians say David was an illegitimate child. Certainly, as revealed in the Bible, he was discounted, hence devalued, by his family. Nevertheless, David was able to rise above abandonment and rejection in his life and defeat Goliath because he “inquired of the LORD” regarding every battle, and because his relationship with the Lord was one of very deep intimacy. He knew he was God’s child and later, through the revelation of the Lord’s faithfulness to him through so many battles, inluding the battles within his heart, he “perceived he was King of Israel!” HOW did David arrive at such a place of intimacy, and accordingly, victory? It was through hours alone with the LORD, meditating upon, and proclaiming in song, the Lord’s words of truth and love spoken to him. That’s how David, all alone in the wilderness caring for lowly sheep ushered in the Presence of the Lord to defeat loneliness and lions, and that’s also where he found refuge and victory to defeat the giants that faced him the rest of his life.

I know I have become a woman “after God’s own heart,” when no matter what I am going through, I am able to lift my songs of thankfulness and adoration to Him, and because of Him. Do you know that you are a precious child of God, a queen or king in His sight?  If not, please ask Him why you don’t believe this.

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