1 Samuel 16-18, 24, 31,
2 Samuel 6, 22
1 Chronicles 17
Psalm 59
Introduction to the Reading:
My wife and I are buying a house. We actually signed an offer to purchase agreement just a couple of weeks ago. I have to say, it's a very surreal feeling. We actually met our real estate agent at a coffee shop. It felt like a very normal day. And we simply wrote our signatures on a piece of paper. But with the scribble of a pen, we knew that so much more was changing. It was at that moment that our real estate agent said, "Welcome to the grown up world."
I'd say I've been a grown up for some time. I've been driving for 15 years. I've been voting for 13 years. Graduation from school is a number of years behind me. I've been married for a couple of years. Yet our agent was right in the sense that we had moved on to a different stage in our lives. In more than just the physical way, we were beginning to build a home.
This week we watch as David grows up. Like Saul, we don't hear much about his family background. What matters is that the Lord chooses him. And so we first hear about how the Lord sends Samuel to anoint David as the next king of Israel. However, it will be a long time before he is actually king. That doesn't mean they weren't important times for David. In fact, many of the most memorable stories from David's life occur before he is king. Most importantly, in each of the lessons we see how the Lord was with him and working through him.
If you had to pick four or five stories from when you were growing up that were pivotal moments or summed up a period from your youth, what would they be? What stories would you want to tell your grand-kids if they came over for the weekend and you only had a few hours with them? Now in each of the stories, how would you explain the Lord's roll at that point in your life? Let's read and see how the Lord was integral in the maturing David's young life...
Time to Slow it Down - Pages 158 "But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor."
Last week our reading ended with the Lord's words to Saul that the Lord had sought a "man after his own heart" to appoint as ruler of his people. While the people looked for a king that had all the looks of king, the Lord looked where? "At the heart" (p. 145). What do you look for in people? Do you like to follow sports figures with the best throwing percentage? Or celebraties with the best looks? Or politicians with the most popularity? Or, on the other hand, do you vote for those leaders that share Biblical values or follow social figures who use their fame to promote Christ?
While we can't see into David's heart, we can see the fruits of his faith - how he made his faith visible in his life. The first real actions of David that are recorded show how strong his faith is. While everyone else was terrified because they were looking at the physical state of things, David was confident because he was looking to the Lord. But not only did he trust the Lord, he also gave God the credit, "The battle is the Lord's!" (p. 149)
What would you say is worse: not trusting the Lord, or trusting him and not giving him the credit? I guess it's a bit of a silly question, because hopefully we don't fall into either trap. But how often don't we loose sight of who is really in charge? I'll admit, it's all too easy to lose focus. I recently took on a new position at work. At first I thought to myself, "Wow...I can really be proud of myself because I was selected for this position." I was all excited and telling everyone about my new position. On top of it, one of our biggest clients was coming to visit. I started thinking of all the things on my "resume" that I could pitch to the client about how I would be great at serving them. Out of all the reasons the client should be excited to have me as their contact with our company or all the reasons in my mind why my boss had chosen me for the new position, what was a missing? Oops...there I was forgetting to give credit where credit was due.
Then, once I started and was overwhelmed the first couple of weeks with all the new responsibilities, I started to think, "How am I going to make it!?" There was so much to learn. I had so many tasks to take care of. On top of it, we were in the middle of this house buying process. I realized how much about purchasing a house I didn't know. And then I also started to realize that with all the tasks at work and all the chaos with the house that I was failing to be concerned about my wife and her needs. I felt like I was failing all around. Oops...there I was forgetting to give credit where credit was due.
One minute too proud, the next too scared - but the problem was the same! On the other hand, what made David different? I'd summarize it with one word: humility. In the midst of battle, David knew who had what it took to win: the Lord. And when in victory, David knew who deserved the glory: the Lord. Remember how David was the celebrity - parades in his honor, people flocking to see him come back from battle, news about his conquests on everyone's tongues. Yet how did David act? Well not the way that his wife wanted him too! She knew how celebrities should act: they should wear the fancy clothes, work the crowds and the media, walk the red carpet and milk it for all it's worth. What was David doing? Well in her mind, he was acting like a fool. He wore simple clothes and humbled himself before the ark of the Lord. David didn't care, "I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes...I will celebrate before the Lord" (p. 158).
What was this valiant warrior afraid of? "How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?" (p. 157). David realized that in spite of his high position, he wasn't worthy of the Lord's presence. He was a sinful human. He knew that he wasn't even worthy to be in the presence of the ark of the Lord, the symbol of God's presence among his people.
Yet did you see God's grace again and again through this chapter? In spite of the fact that David wasn't worthy to come to the Lord, the Lord came to him, chose him, used him, "I took you..." (p. 159) the Lord said through Nathan the prophet. Saul recognized that the Lord was with David, "Go, and the Lord be with you" (p. 149). What made David special wasn't David, it was the Spirit of the Lord that was in him.
What makes you fit to face the battles that you will encounter this week? What makes you special in the eyes of those around you? What gives you beauty or fame or respect? May we always admit like David, "You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely" (p. 152).
When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder:
When David came home from his work of fighting, he realized that what he really needed was a house. Not a house for himself, he already had that. In fact he had a very nice house - real hardwood floors made of cedar! No, what David wanted was a house for the Lord. While we often put more thought and money and energy into our own homes, once again we see David's faith shining through.
But the Lord wouldn't let David build the temple. The giving would go in the opposite direction: the Lord would give David a house. This wouldn't be a physical house of course. No, the Lord would give David a household of kings. David's family would rule on the throne of Israel for generations to come.
Yet, as you read those words, do you get the sense that the Lord is talking about something bigger than just a physical kingdom? I hope you do. Once again we see the connection between the lower story and the upper story. David was worried about a physical kingdom, the Lord was working on a spiritual kingdom. The Lord promises to David a king who would sit on the throne forever (And notice how many times he repeats that word "forever."). This son of David, the Lord says, would be, "My son." How could this eternal king be both David's son and God's son? I think by now you are putting the pieces together.
While David's thoughts are on earthly houses, the Lord is building a spiritual house. David wanted a place where people could come to worship the Lord. The Lord was promising to David that through his descendants the God-man Jesus would come who would conquer our greatest enemies of sin, death, and the Devil so that we could live in the kingdom of heaven forever. In that kingdom, Jesus will sit on his throne as King of the Universe forever, and we will have an eternal home.
Hymn of Praise:
David was a great warrior, but he also was known for his songs. At least 75 of the 150 Psalms were written by David. David loved music, and he loved giving God glory through music. We read one of David's psalms in our reading today. We too can give God glory through our songs. In fact, some of our hymns are based on the Psalms of David. One of Luther's most popular hymns is based on Psalm 46 and gives glory to God for being our fortress:
He helps us free from every need that has us now overtaken.
The old evil foe now means deadly woe; deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight; on Earth is not his equal.
With might of ours can naught be done, soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One, whom God Himself elected.
You ask, who is this? Jesus Christ it is.
Of Sabaoth Lord, and there’s none other God;
He holds the field forever.
Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us.
We tremble not, we fear no ill, they shall not overpower us.
This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none, he’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
The Word they still shall let remain nor any thanks have for it;
He’s by our side upon the plain with His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life, goods, fame, child and wife,
Let these all be gone, they yet have nothing won;
The Kingdom's ours forever!
For those who like more:
- How much did David know about his Redeemer-son? Read a Forward in Christ article about David's faith in the coming Messiah.
- Whose son is the Christ? A devotion on Matthew 22:41-46.
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