S) "7 For the king trusts in the LORD,
And through the lovingkindness of the Most High he will not be shaken."
Psalm 21:7 (NASB)
O) Few people understood the way God would dethrone a king, the way David understood. After all, his predecessor was still on the throne when David was anointed as king over Israel. Even after Samuel the prophet anointed him, it was years before he ascended the throne. There were wars, his exile, betrayal, and tragedy. Through all of it, though, David was very firm that it was not his place to remove Saul from power, but that the LORD would accomplish it. He recognized God's sovereign hand in the rise and fall of kings, because he had seen it firsthand. So, when he used the word "shaken," I think he was probably referring to an actual deposing, not just a feeling of being shaken, and not a literal shake. And, the use of the word "trust," I think, encompasses a lot more when it's used with relation to the LORD. when we look at David's predecessor, why was Saul removed, except for a lack of trust. Trusting the LORD means a believing what He said. Believing what He said will mean obeying His commands. That is where Saul went wrong. Back to our verse, we see one more element at work. Even in obedience, belief, and trust, David acknowledged that it is still grace that would keep him enthroned. It was not because of his trust in God, but because of God's lovingkindness. In any covenant, there are terms for both sides. This is the case with God and His children. In the covenant, God has promised certain things to His children, according to various conditions. However, meeting those conditions did not "earn" the promises, because it was still grace in the first place, that God offered a covenant to us to enter with Him.
A) The most obvious response is to trust the LORD! I need to humbly acknowledge His lovingkindness and grace, and let that compel me to more trust in Him. In the New Covenant, Jesus reminded us that His kingdom is not flesh. As such, the authorities He gives are not human, temporal authorities. None of the roles He has for His people are primarily physical. Sure, they play out here, on earth, but they are so much more rich than that. He has eternal plans for us! So, in a (humble) sense, God has offered me a small kingship. I am a husband and dad. Jesus reminds me that being "in charge" is about serving others, not being served. So, I try to approach my role(s) with humble service in mind, trusting in the LORD. Even so, my role on earth will end at some point, but that does not mean my eternal role is shaken. If my identity is found in Christ alone, and I trust in the LORD then even death cannot shake me.
P) Father, the grace at work in my salvation is humbling. To realize how much grace is still at work, humbles me more, still. In all of Your ways, You have shown Yourself to be trustworthy. So, convict my heart when I am not trusting You as I should. Open my eyes and ears, to know when I am in error, in arrogance, thinking I can live some part of my life without You, however small that part is, Yoy deserve it all, LORD. And, I have proven repeatedly that I am incapable of ruling any part of my own life on my own, regardless of how small. I trust in You. By Your lovingkindness, please keep me from being shaken. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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