The Story of "David"
David is a popular name. But where is it from and what does it mean? One of the first recordings of the name "David" is, of course, King David from the stories in the Bible - most of you have probably heard the story of David and Goliath, where a shepherd boy defeats a giant with nothing but a small stone in a sling. He didn't do this on his own strength, however, but by trusting in his God to give him the strength he needed to do this task set before him. This brings me to my first point: David was a man of trust. Yes, he made mistakes (we all do), and yes, he wasn't at all a perfect guy. But he trusted in God and wanted, above all, to do the will of God for his people, as their king.
In terms of its meaning, David is a Hebrew name, probably deriving from the Hebrew word dwd - pronounced dah-weed - which means "beloved." For me, this is an especially hopeful truth - to be someone's beloved. But not just any someone, God's beloved. I am a child of God, I am made in His image (as are you), and most of all, I am loved incredibly deeply by Him (again, like you). To have my identity firstly be beloved is a huge thing for me. If I am rooted in the truth that I am loved, then my whole life will flow from that truth.
David in his life started out as just an ordinary shepherd boy in a large family. He was the youngest son of a man named Jesse, he lived on a farm and was the one who tended the sheep. He was often forgotten or left out, but he faithfully served and did his duty as son and shepherd. This included protecting the sheep from attackers like lions and bears, which he would have fought off by himself. He was a humble man, and he was also an incredible musician. When the current king called for his servants to find him a 'suitable musician to serenade him,' David was found to be the best in the land. King Saul - the guy who called for David - was tormented with evil spirits. But when David played his music, King Saul was completely soothed and calmed. David had the heart of a musician, but not only that, of a worshiper. He ADORED God, and knew that his gift and talent was given from Him, so David used this gift to honour and glorify God everywhere he went. He was one of the first musical "worship leaders" ever. He also wrote a large portion of the Psalms in the Bible, which are mostly songs and poems that he would have sung.
During his life, David was often called "a man after God's own heart." This is a HUGE compliment. To be someone who chases after the heart of God, and recognized for that - that is someone that I want to be. God's heart is one of reconciliation, of love, of adoption, of forgiveness and mercy, of grace, and of restoration. And to be called a man that pursues those things... that's the kind of man I strive to be. Which brings me to my last point. Several people in my life, who are all from completely different parts of my life and have zero connection whatsoever to each other, have said to me that I have a "heart of David." When this was first said to me several years ago, I didn't really understand it at all. It was mostly just "cool" and I didn't understand what it truly meant. However, over the years as I have pondered that, I have come to realize these things: David was a man after God, he was trustworthy and he trusted deeply, he understood who he was in the eyes of God as God's beloved son, and he was a musician who used his talents to bring glory and honour to God, to encourage the people around him, and to lead people in worship to God.
Being told that I have a "heart of David" is no light flattery to me. It is deep and extremely meaningful to me. And I want to be like that; to be a man who is both trusting and trustworthy, who loves both people and God deeply, and who uses this gift of music to help people, to encourage them, and to bring them closer to One who loves them unconditionally. This is my heart. This is why I go by Cody David as a musician.