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2 August 2007
2 Samuel 8 v 13-18
David was famous after he returned from defeating eighteen thousand Arameans in the Valley of Salt. He put groups of soldiers all over Edom, and all the Edomites became his servants. The LORD gave David victory everywhere he went. David was king over all Israel, and he did what was fair and right for all his people. Joab son of Zeruiah was commander over the army. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder. Zadok son of Ahitub and Abiathar son of Ahimelech were priests. Seraiah was the royal secretary. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites. And David's sons were priests.
We live in a culture of celebrity. Magazines and newspapers vie for exclusive rights to photographs of the rich and famous getting married, going to parties or simply sitting on a beach. Reality television shows turn "nobodys" into celebrities. Indeed, many people enter these shows purely in pursuit of the fame that they crave so much.
But why do they crave this fame? What are they really seeking? For some perhaps it is money. For others a chance to appear in the magazines they read and to be well-known. For yet others, maybe it is an effort to start a relationship with a good-looking, rich, famous personality.
I find it interesting to compare these people with David. He had become "famous". He was king over the whole of Israel. He had power and money. And yet what did he do? "He did what was right and fair for all his people." What a great way to show his devotion to God.
Do you have any power or responsibility over others? Do what is right and fair for them. In this way you can also show your devotion to God.
Father, thank you for the positions of responsibility that you place me into. Please help me to use the power that I have for the benefit of other people. Amen
Written by Matt Chessum
2 Samuel 8 v 13-18
David was famous after he returned from defeating eighteen thousand Arameans in the Valley of Salt. He put groups of soldiers all over Edom, and all the Edomites became his servants. The LORD gave David victory everywhere he went. David was king over all Israel, and he did what was fair and right for all his people. Joab son of Zeruiah was commander over the army. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder. Zadok son of Ahitub and Abiathar son of Ahimelech were priests. Seraiah was the royal secretary. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites. And David's sons were priests.
We live in a culture of celebrity. Magazines and newspapers vie for exclusive rights to photographs of the rich and famous getting married, going to parties or simply sitting on a beach. Reality television shows turn "nobodys" into celebrities. Indeed, many people enter these shows purely in pursuit of the fame that they crave so much.
But why do they crave this fame? What are they really seeking? For some perhaps it is money. For others a chance to appear in the magazines they read and to be well-known. For yet others, maybe it is an effort to start a relationship with a good-looking, rich, famous personality.
I find it interesting to compare these people with David. He had become "famous". He was king over the whole of Israel. He had power and money. And yet what did he do? "He did what was right and fair for all his people." What a great way to show his devotion to God.
Do you have any power or responsibility over others? Do what is right and fair for them. In this way you can also show your devotion to God.
Father, thank you for the positions of responsibility that you place me into. Please help me to use the power that I have for the benefit of other people. Amen
Written by Matt Chessum
