The Greater Purpose

1 Chronicles 14:2
“And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people.”

I love George Washington. I have read several books about him and his life. One of his quotes is as follows:
“Be Americans. Let there be no sectionalism, no North, South, East, or West. You are all dependent on one another and should be one in union. In one word, be a nation. Be Americans, and be true to yourselves.”

George Washington knew that the power of America lay in its people being united and true to themselves. In today’s world, we seem to be inundated with people seeking power or political standing for no other reason than self-promotion. George Washington did not even want the job of President to begin with because he feared that people would look upon him as a king-like figure and forget the real power of the new nation: unity in people being Americans.

Our verse today comes as David becomes the second king of Israel. While other nations around Israel had kings for hundreds of years, Israel stood as an example of a nation that put the Lord God as their king. The book of Judges is a great book that outlines those years. Israel would trust the Lord, and all their enemies would be silent. They would turn away from the Lord, and their enemies would gain the upper hand. Once the lesson had been learned, God would raise up a mighty judge to conquer the enemy and put Israel back on the straight and narrow.

Saul, Israel’s first king, was requested by the people. Saul, at first, was a man who trusted the Lord, but not too far into his reign, he let power overwhelm his better judgment. He became selfish and greedy, disobeying the Lord.

David was a shepherd boy when Samuel anointed him king, just a teenager. It would be almost two decades later that David became king, only after running from Saul in the desert. During those years of running, David was shaped into the man God wanted to lead His people. He put God first above opportunities. David cared for the outcasts and wanderers, and those families later became his mighty men when he took the throne. God showed David that it was only by His hand that Saul did not find and kill him.

The book of Psalms is like a prayer journal for David throughout his life. In it, you will find David lamenting over his enemies, wondering where the Lord is, and pondering why—all while ultimately understanding that the Lord would keep him and protect him no matter what. My favorite is Psalm 23. In it, David acknowledges that no matter what he goes through, the Lord is there, protecting him and keeping him safe.

Today, realize you are where you are because of the Lord. The Bible tells us He will never leave us nor forsake us, so we can conclude that God is with us in ALL we do. And in all we do, we should understand that “me, myself, and I” should take a back seat to what the Lord wants to do in our lives.

Our verse tells us that David knew he became king because of God’s people, the Israelites. He wasn’t voted in by the people; rather, the Lord exalted him to that position. We all like to think we are no one’s slave, but can I submit to you that if you are a Christian, then 1 Corinthians 7:22 applies: “And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ.”

David understood this and submitted his reign and power to God first.

We should all understand that the Lord is our master, and we are His slaves in Christ. As Christians, we are to do the will of the Father, not our own. Submit all of your life to Him today. Don’t withhold any lingering idols you refuse to give up. David refused to give up some things, and we can read how it caused problems for him. Don’t mess up your life because you’re too proud to submit to Christ. He will let you go off and do your own thing (like the Prodigal Son), but when you come to your senses, He will be there with open arms, waiting and wanting you back with Him.

Prayer: Father, help us to submit to You in everything we do. Help us develop a great Christian mindset that is focused on others and not on self. Help us to realize we are someone’s best example of You and Your Word. I pray that we would be the best example of You today and every day. In Jesus’ name, amen