Recently, I passed through chapter 14 and saw something that made me stop in my tracks. David had already been anointed King by the prophet of God and he has already been appointed King by the people of God. He was the King. It was an indisputable and undeniable fact. And yet, David apparently didn't fully accept it. He had been King for a while, had led the Israelite people to victory, established the capital city, brought the ark of God home to Jerusalem. Yet, he was still tentative about his position. Until Chapter 14.
"Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber, and stonemasons and carpenters to build him a palace. And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel and had greatly blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel." (1 Chronicles 14:1-2, NLT, emphasis mine)
"Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber, and stonemasons and carpenters to build him a palace. And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel and had greatly blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel." (1 Chronicles 14:1-2, NLT, emphasis mine)
Seems odd, doesn't it, that David required external affirmation in order to receive divine confirmation. David wouldn't fully accept or realize his status until some high figure from the outside - in this case the King of Tyre - recognized him as King.
It's a little sad, I think. And I can relate. God moves us at times to be bold and courageous. But instead of standing on Him, we wait until external circumstances confirm our calling. Or we wait for someone on the outside to affirm our characteristics in order to lead or move or act or change.
It is said that a leader without a follower is a lonely person taking a walk by themselves. David had a great following and a divine calling and an awesome vision, but he relied on an external authority before he would really take the reigns of leadership. Perhaps it was this morsel of insecurity or uncertainty that got him in trouble later.
Would that we would all accept God's stamp of approval or calling as enough for us. If God is for us, who can be against us?
Hope you make it a great week!
1 comment:
Hey Doc, I think about when you taught us about man looks on the outside, God looks at the heart. The most difficult fear we face is our fear of man. God's stamp is on our hearts but we negelect to let our hearts show for Him because we are affraid of what man will think.
If God decides to bless me can man curse me? That is why Paul urged us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We do that by being in the Word. I't blesses me when I hear you say that you saw something in God's Word that you'd never seen before. That's what is so cool about Him because that Word is alive. When I hear the Doc say"I saw something new in the Word it gives me hope that the more I study the more He will reveal Himself to me.
Thanks for sharing!
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