“After this David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?’ And the Lord said, “Go up… [t]o Hebron.’ So David went up there, and his two wives also… And David brought up his men.., everyone with his household, and they lived in the towns of Hebron. And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.
“When they told David, ‘It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul,’ David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, ‘May you be blessed by the Lord, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord and buried him. Now may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. And I will do good to you because you have done this thing. Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant, for Saul your lord is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.’” 2 Samuel 2:1-7
Samuel had prophesied that David would be king, but David was content and intent on serving king Saul until God’s appointed time. His lament over the the deaths of Saul and Jonathan displayed genuine grief, and then he humbly sought the Lord for next steps. Continual communion with the Lord and reliance on His word kept David in tune with His will. From this heavenly vantage point he handled the particulars of his reign, winning the favor of men by seeking God’s. The Holy Spirit directed and infused his dealing with all parties and situations. (1 Samuel 15:17-19,26; 16:1-3,11-13; 2 Samuel 1:11-27)
The human heart is fickle, often wavering between loyalties, interests, and intentions. We have high aspirations, desire to be right with God and humble, yet are easily swayed by the enticements of power and notoriety. We care about others until we have to put them first. We champion rights until they infringe on ours. We can’t help but want to seize and exert control, and in doing so can squelch all grace and kindness that would adorn relationships. (1 Kings 12:1-15; Philippians 2:3-4)
Daily surrender to the Lord fits us into our place in His plans. It aligns us with His ways and tempo, directs our thinking and doing. It enables us to have His mind and be strong in what is right but contrary to current culture. It supplies graciousness, selflessness, and generosity in our impulses toward others. It steps us in godly motivation and eternal perspective. And because of these, it blesses those around us.
In what area of influence has the Lord set us? How uprightly are we handling our responsibilities? Do we exercise assigned authority with thankfulness, grace, appreciation, and dependence on God’s leading? How surrendered are we? It’s important to remember where we came from and that every stewardship is from and for the true King. He will not fail to give wisdom and inspiration for required decisions and divine diplomacy. He will establish us when we seek, trust, and obey Him. (Proverbs 3:3-6; Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; James 1:17)
My King, keep me aware of and dependent on You in every facet of life, that I may exercise Your graciousness and wisdom for the blessing of others.
As the rain and snow 