Scripture:
2 Samuel 5:1-5 ESV
[1] Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh. [2] In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord said to you, ‘You shall be the shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.’” [3] So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. [4] David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. [5] At Hebron, he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem, he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.
Observation:
As I was reading this morning. I got the opportunity to see the heart of GOD. Through the life of King David. David was not like other Kings. When a king came into a new territory he would execute anyone who had anything to do with the king that had just been destroyed. Not David. This character was seen not just by the people he was leading but by those who opposed him as well. With the 2men that had been bucking for leadership over Israel now murdered they needed a shepherd, and who would be better for the job than David? His loyalty was without question. He sat under Saul and did not raise a hand to him. Even though Saul had every intention of killing him, and when someone did kill Saul a price was paid at the command of David. His loyalty could be seen. But let’s dive just a little deeper. Who was his loyalty to…? Was it Saul…? Well maybe…to a point. But David was loyal to GOD. Every time he had opportunities to take Saul out. His comment was who am I to raise my hand against the LORD’s anointed? David’s recognition came from the fact that he was loyal to the LORD. It could be seen. The tribes of Israel could see it, and after Saul was gone and the supposed leaders were out of the way. Israel did what was clearly the best thing for them by reuniting the 2 kingdoms under King David. A true shepherd. His rightful place. Not because he was power-hungry or had some kind of agenda, but because he loved people, and wanted them to see their calling and start to walk in it.
Application:
Can your loyalty be seen? Who is it to? Do you think of yourself first? Or are you truly concerned with others? I have a confession to make…and I’m pretty sure I have made a decision about it. For the past going on 3 years, I have been holding a men’s bible study at my house. I absolutely love it. It’s a staple of my week. Friday night I get off work early and make dinner for men who have a desire to chase after Jesus on a Friday night. Rather than chase after a drug or an addiction. There have been anywhere from 2 men to 15 men in my house at a time. I love it. Now I have to say that over the past year or so GOD has brought the thought to my mind. Your house is good but how many men do you know that can’t come because you live so far away from town? Now I need to say this as well. Holding the bible study at my house has been somewhat selfish. You see I live in my mom’s old house, and she is no longer with us. So in my thoughts, I’m like wouldn’t Mom smile if she could see men chasing after Jesus in her home? Who has my loyalty been to? GOD and men, who need to know what that book says so they know how to make the right choices or…self? My point is I think it’s time. Yes, I want my mom to smile down from heaven knowing that her son is stepping into the calling. But my heavenly Father’s approval is more important than that. That’s where my loyalty is. I only hope that can be seen. That being said. I am currently seeking approval to hold a life recovery men’s meeting on Friday night in Ada Oklahoma.
Prayer:
Father, you are faithful. We want our hearts to be loyal. We pray that our love for you can be seen and that it is something that others would be attracted to. You can lead a horse to water but if he is not thirsty when he gets there you have done nothing. We want your faithfulness to be attractive. So that more men and women would have that desire to be loyal. This journey is not about us… it’s about you. It’s about. That’s why Abraham didn’t get to physically see the great nation he was made into. He only saw a small piece. Isac and Isac led to Jacob and Jacob became a great nation. Aberham’s loyalty was the cause of that. Father, we love you. We want to be in the middle of what you are doing. We see you moving at cross pointe church and many other churches. We just want to be used by you please allow our loyalty to you to be seen and felt by others so that the living water is desirable. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.