Devo 26
9/27/02
"On God's Terms"
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." I Peter 5:6,7 NKJV
Though the above verse is from I Peter, much of today's devo will be based upon the Old Testament books of I and II Samuel. Trivia: Who is the main character of these two books? Answer: King David. (Samuel and Saul are also key figures, but I think David's life could be considered the focus.) Today, I finished reading two different books of the Bible; II Samuel, and I Peter. Peter took only a couple days or so, going slow, but I've been working through I and II Samuel for at least the past month. I've found it really interesting looking at the life of King David, who some say was the greatest king Israel ever had (earthly king that is). Certainly he was great; under David's rule, Israel, for the first time really became a nation with clear borders and even a standing army. A capital was established in Jerusalem; a place for the king to live, and with the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant, a place for God as well--a centralized place of worship for the entire nation. No longer was Israel a scattered group of tribes professing faith in Yahweh, they now had a national identity, they were the people of God, and David was their king.
I wonder, if during his reign, David ever had an inkling of how great he would someday be perceived? Sure, there were songs sung of him slaying tens of thousands, but most successful military leaders will get no less and still be perceived less highly. I get the impression that David probably had very little reason to think that his reign would be later considered the Golden Years. I say this mainly because I don't think David was ever really after making a name for himself. He was motivated by something other than the desire for fame, he wanted to see God glorified. Look at the encounter with Goliath in I Samuel 17 and you'll see that David confronted Goliath not to impress king Saul, not even to try and be the king that Samuel had said he would be a chapter earlier. No, instead David was concerned with the way that God was being shown by the actions of the Israelite soldiers. He saw an uncircumcised Philistine mocking the children of God, and the Israelites shaking in their boots, and not one man doing a thing about it. David confronted Goliath not for the great reward Saul promised, but for the glory of God's name. And this devotion to God, and primary concern for His Name would characterize David's reign.
David understood something important that I think it would be beneficial for us to see. David realized that whatever would happen in his life, would happen on God's terms. I think King Saul, in the encounter with Goliath would have much rather have seen one of his champions engage Goliath in a furious battle that would last through the day. God had another plan; let's let the giant be killed in an instant by a young shepherd. When David went up before the giant, he rejected the armor and sword of Saul--that seemed too much like trying to tip the scales in his favor--instead he decided to face the giant the same way he faced the lion and the bear; with a sling in his hand, and God at his side. Goliath would be defeated, but not by a champion fighting for the king, but by a boy fighting for God.
Of course, because of this event, David became immensely popular, and of course, despised by King Saul. It is a fairly common trait of those in power to become jealous of anyone the public seems to be taking a shine to, and Saul was no exception. Eventually, David had to go on the run as Saul began actually hunting this young shepherd. David had his followers, though, and a promise from God that someday he would be king, but right now, staying a step ahead of the king was more important than drawing floor plans for his palace. In chapter 24 of I Samuel, we see David's character, and his realization that his life is to be lived on God's terms. In chapter 24 we see David presented with an opportunity to get rid of Saul once and for all in a swift, decisive manner. David's men advise him to jump at this chance, but listen to David's response, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master...the anointed of the LORD" (v. 6) David recognized here that even though Saul was chasing him all around the desert trying to kill him, Saul was still the anointed king over Israel. And when God was ready to take Saul out of the picture, God would do so, but it would be on God's terms, not his own.
The same situation happens two chapters later. Again David is presented with a prime opportunity to rid himself of Saul, and again his men are all for it and even volunteering for the job. David's response is similar, "who can stretch out his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?" He goes on to say that when God is ready, Saul will be taken care of, whether by God directly, or in battle. (v.10) In both instances, David's concern for God and His name is evident. Rather than taking the initiative and taking care of Saul himself, he recognized that despite Saul's wickedness, he was still the anointed king, and a strike against him would be a strike against God. It would in fact be telling God that he was unsatisfied with the way God was running things, and what human can seriously make that claim.
One more example before I move on. This one is in II Samuel 7. Here David has just brought the ark to Jerusalem and has expressed his desire to build a great house for God--why should the ark sit in a tent while the king has his own palace. (7:2) The desire is a good one, and his concern for God's glory is clearly evident. But God responds in a surprising way. Instead of allowing David to build a house for Him, God tells the king that He will build a house for David! Not a house of wood and stone like David was planning for God, but a lineage that would last forever. David could have reacted in two ways here, he could have turned bitter because God wouldn't allow him to build a temple. Or, more likely, he could have let this amazing promise go to his head thinking that finally God was giving him his due. David chose neither and took a third way, he responded saying, "Who am I, O LORD? And what is my house that you brought me this far?" (v 18) And later, "establish it [God's promise] forever and do as You have said. So let Your name be magnified forever." (vv. 25,26) Even now, it wasn't about him, it was about God. David thought a house of wood and stone would be glorifying to God, God had other plans.
So what does this mean for us? I can sense there might be an objection to patterning our lives after these instances in David's. Especially the ones where David had Saul right in his grasp. In our world today, initiative is praised, and the ones willing to make the grabs for power are the ones who will get it. "It's a dog eat dog world", they say. "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." With everything in society geared towards instant gratification, it is very hard to accept that David actually did the right thing by choosing to wait for God's timing. There are other instances in David's life, particularly concerning his son Absolom that David again showed this 'annoying' little habit. And yet what is important to realize here is that David was never after his own glory, or honor, but rather was intent on making sure God got the glory and respect He demands.
What are the biggest issues and desires in your life today? Are you worried about relationships, worried that if you don't make the right move at the right time, with the right words that any chance of being happily married will be ruined? Are you worried about life after school, worried that if you don't take the right classes, get the right grades, make the right connections with professors that any chance of a successful career will be gone? Remember that this life has never been about us. When we try to dictate the terms of our life, we will only run up against frustration if we also claim to follow God. When God came into your life, He didn't come as a spectator, He came as the coach. He didn't come to ruin us, He came to fulfill us, and we need to realize that we just aren't capable of seeing enough of the big picture to dictate our own course.
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."