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18 July 2007
2 Samuel 5 v 1-5
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said to him, "Look, we are your own family. Even when Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel in battle. The LORD said to you, 'You will be a shepherd for my people Israel. You will be their leader.' "
So all the older leaders of Israel came to King David at Hebron, and he made an agreement with them in Hebron in the presence of the LORD. Then they poured oil on David to make him king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he ruled forty years. He was king over Judah in Hebron for seven years and six months, and he was king over all Israel and Judah in Jerusalem for thirty-three years.
30 years old and ruling a nation. Not bad going for a boy who used to look after the sheep in the field and took lunch to his brothers who were serving in the army.
What is so striking in David's story is that we have no indication he was trying to become king. Instead he simply kept on being faithful where he was. He followed God and tried to act justly, even if he didn't live a perfect life. He could have said 'God has told me I am going to be king so get out of my way!' He was certainly popular enough to have brought down the old king, Saul, and to have claimed the crown for himself. But he didn't.
David waited and served where he was. As he served the 'older leaders' came to recognise his gifting and released him into his new roll as king without a fight, but with their blessing. Do you feel unrecognised? Do you feel as if no one notices the skills you have to offer? Try to follow David's example and serve faithfully where you are. If God has new things for you to do he can open up the door for you, there is no need for you to smash it down in your own strength. Trust God to raise you up when the time is right.
Father God teach me to trust you. Today help me to serve you and those I meet for your sake, not because I am worrying about advancing myself.
Written by David Booker
2 Samuel 5 v 1-5
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said to him, "Look, we are your own family. Even when Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel in battle. The LORD said to you, 'You will be a shepherd for my people Israel. You will be their leader.' "
So all the older leaders of Israel came to King David at Hebron, and he made an agreement with them in Hebron in the presence of the LORD. Then they poured oil on David to make him king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he ruled forty years. He was king over Judah in Hebron for seven years and six months, and he was king over all Israel and Judah in Jerusalem for thirty-three years.
30 years old and ruling a nation. Not bad going for a boy who used to look after the sheep in the field and took lunch to his brothers who were serving in the army.
What is so striking in David's story is that we have no indication he was trying to become king. Instead he simply kept on being faithful where he was. He followed God and tried to act justly, even if he didn't live a perfect life. He could have said 'God has told me I am going to be king so get out of my way!' He was certainly popular enough to have brought down the old king, Saul, and to have claimed the crown for himself. But he didn't.
David waited and served where he was. As he served the 'older leaders' came to recognise his gifting and released him into his new roll as king without a fight, but with their blessing. Do you feel unrecognised? Do you feel as if no one notices the skills you have to offer? Try to follow David's example and serve faithfully where you are. If God has new things for you to do he can open up the door for you, there is no need for you to smash it down in your own strength. Trust God to raise you up when the time is right.
Father God teach me to trust you. Today help me to serve you and those I meet for your sake, not because I am worrying about advancing myself.
Written by David Booker
