S ) "3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them before the Lord at Hebron; then they anointed David king over Israel."
2 Samuel 5:3 (NASB)
O) David had already been anointed by Samuel, to be king over Israel. Here, he gained the support of the people. This is the same process that Saul went through, before David. First, Samuel anointed him according to God's direction, then the people gave their support. There is one notable, major difference between the two beginnings. For David's reign, he entered a covenant with the people before the LORD. We don't get to learn the details of that covenant, but the nature of a covenant is that two parties are mutually setting out to bless one another. They are committing to uphold certain things, do certain things, or abstain from certain things. A covenant is agreed upon by both parties. A covenant requires action by both parties. David already had every right to reign over these people, but he clearly saw this as a position of service. Again, we don't know the details, but David's reign started with a totally different interpretation, when it came to how a person should lead a kingdom. David had his own faults, to be sure, but I think it's clear he considered his position to be a gift, not a right.
A) Over and over, Jesus reinforced the notion that leadership according to God's definitions is vastly different than leadership according to the world's definitions. David understood that he had certain obligations toward his people, as their king; just as the people had obligations to him, as subjects in his kingdom. Any time I am ever reading about kingdoms in the Bible, I always relate it first to my own family. God has me in a position of leadership, as a husband and a dad. One day, I hope to be a grandparent, and even a great-grandparent - if the Lord is willing. In that sense, there are generations that will be affected by my current leadership. The way I treat my wife will impact my children's marriages. The way I parent will impact how they parent my grandkids. And those effects can (and probably will) ripple through multiple generations in ways I may never see. With that in mind, I need to approach my leadership with God in mind. Just as David made his covenant with his people before the LORD, I also must make my decisions as I lead, with the LORD as my biggest concern. I don't know if I will enter a covenant with my children, but I certainly did with my wife. Every day, I have countless opportunities to honor God by the way I keep that covenant (and how I parent my children). The biggest thing I can give to the people I lead, is to impart a practice of considering the LORD with every relationship. A covenant is a serious thing, and not every relationship has one. However, everything we do is still before the LORD. As I lead my family with an understanding that I am to serve them as much as they are supposed to do anything for me, I must keep God central to our family.
P) Father, I am confronted today, with the realization that I am completely inadequate to lead my family on my own. I cannot even lead my own life straight, let alone four other people. However, I am so humbled and thankful, that I am not doing this on my own. Be my wisdom, strength, and guide, as I look to serve my family daily. Holy Spirit, counsel me in the way I must go. Thank You for the grace that is present in my life every day, Lord. Be glorified in my little kingdom, as I seek to honor You in the way I lead my family, to keep You central to our every relationship. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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