November 01, 2024
Whether you realize it or not, the God of the universe made you in His image and has planned for you to rule with Him over part of His creation in this world and the world to come. You may not be stepping into His design and your destiny, but His plan was expressed in the triune God’s first statement about us.
Let us make man in our own image, according to our likeness, and let them rule. (Genesis 1:26)
For this glorious reality to occur, God must take each of us through a process to train us, removing the ravages of sin and self that have malformed us and re-forming us into the image of His Son. Only then can we become those to whom He can entrust great work.
SHEPHERD TO KING
Young David was such a man. He was the youngest of many sons whom no one would ever dream would be used by God. But at an early age, God chose him from all of Israel to become the greatest king in Israel’s history and perhaps all of human history. But it was not without suffering, waiting, hurting, and learning.
After years of development, David was finally exalted as King. His first order of business was to bring the Ark of the Covenant, which represented God’s presence, into Jerusalem. David knew that everything flowed from God’s presence. He had experienced this personally, and now, he wanted to build an entire nation on that belief. His friend, Asaph, was commissioned to write a Psalm for this moment, and one of the lines expressed this to the people.
Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad. Seek the Lord and His strength. Seek His face continually. (1 Chronicles 16:10-11)
The word “face” was commonly used to describe God’s presence. David experienced this daily, and now, as ruler, he wanted the whole nation to join him. And he believed the Ark’s presence (God’s presence) right in their midst would help them stay focused on the Ultimate King.
He brought the Ark into a tent he had prepared, but he longed to build the Ark a more permanent home. God told him it was not necessary but that David’s son would do that and that God would establish David’s line to rule forever. David was overwhelmed with this prophecy, but listen to his telling response to God—a response that indicates why God could entrust His servant with significant responsibilities. In these words, we see David’s humble heart.
“Now, O Lord, let the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house be established forever, and do as You have spoken. Let Your name be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel; and the house of David Your servant is established before You.’” (1 Chronicles 17:23-24)
Do you see the difference between David’s response and what most men would have said? “Lord, thank you for what you have said about my future, BUT LET YOUR NAME BE ESTABLISHED AND MAGNIFIED FOREVER!” David was more interested in God’s glory than his own. David knew he deserved nothing and had received everything, and he had never forgotten the Source. He deflected all the praise to God.
This is the highest test. God entrusts the most to those who live only for His glory. God’s honor is always safe in the hands of those who will genuinely give Him all the honor and glory for all that is accomplished. Such leaders can be trusted, and they will be greatly used.
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