Zachary Levi Says David’s Story Inspires Him: ‘We Are all Saved through the Mercy of God’
Michael Foust
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By Michael Foust, Crosswalk.com
Zachary Levi’s work in faith-based projects may be relatively new, but he’s quick to add that his personal faith stretches back to his days as a young boy.
He attended church as a child and grew up in a Christian home, where “Jesus and the Bible and Scripture were often spoken about.” And when he turned 18, he started an intentional journey of faith that continues to this day. As he put it, he didn’t want to embrace faith simply because it was what his parents believed.
Today, he says that journey has led him to a deep personal belief in God and the truth of the Bible.
“God has been the author and pilot of my career my whole life,” Levi told Crosswalk Headlines.
Levi became a household name in Hollywood through his roles in Disney’s Tangled, the NBC series Chuck, and the Shazam! franchise, but in recent years, he has become a familiar presence in faith-adjacent projects such as American Underdog, The Unbreakable Boy, and Sarah's Oil.
His latest faith project is David: King of Israel, a four-part Fox Nation docudrama in which Levi serves as host and narrator, guiding viewers through the biblical story of David – from shepherd boy to king.
“There's a reason why he resonates with all of us so deeply, and it's rooted in the fact that he's a man after God's own heart, which is what we all aspire to be, to be men and women after God's own heart,” Levi said.
David’s story is also marked by failure and redemption – themes that mirror the human story.
“There's so much drama and intrigue and everything in this story,” Levi said. “It's the highest highs and lowest lows to be a man after God's own heart, to be chosen as the new king [but] to be then running for your life, trying not to be killed. And then once ascending to kingship, then also falling into the trap of the flesh and of the ego and making really horrible decisions.”
David relied on the grace of God – just as all people ultimately must, Levi added.
“God still saw through all of that, and God still sees through all of that today,” said Levi, who considers Psalm 139, which was written by David, one of his go-to passages for inspiration. “And I think it's imperative that we remember that – particularly as people of faith – we are all saved by grace. We are all saved through the mercy and forgiveness of God.”
Levi himself finds David’s story inspiring – his need for God’s grace and his longing for God’s love.
“Nothing can separate you from the love of God,” Levi told Crosswalk Headlines. “God is always just right there, just waiting for us to turn back to Him and say, ‘Use me. How can I be used in this world to make it a better place, for Your love to be shown on the people of this earth?’”
He credits his career and opportunities to God.
“He gave me the talents that I had naturally,” he said. “He gave me opportunities to keep doing theater as a kid and refining those talents – and put people along the way to recognize those talents and help me, and get me into more positions where I had a career in Hollywood. And I've been very blessed to do this for the last 26 years of my life, which is crazy to think. … And I hope I get to do it a lot longer.”
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Photo Credit: ©Fox Nation
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
