Entering in, breaking out, learning a legacy

Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Greg Nixon:

What did I like about today’s passage?

I like that we see a fulfilment of one of God’s promises to give Israel a shepherd to rule them. And this is a shepherd who is very mindful that God gives the victory: David’s first response in the face of an old enemy, the Philistines, is to ask the Lord if he should face them.

It’s an interesting detail that David and his men carry off the Philistines’ idols – idols that had clearly not helped them in this battle… I wonder if this unfinished business (i.e. a holding back from totally destroying the idols) is an example of unrighteous things being allowed to fester in Israel?

I love the interaction between God and David, where we see a quite different response to what we and David might have expected. This reminds me we can’t give God anything He doesn’t already have – He is the great giver, and will do far more than we can ask or imagine.

At the end of this section, we return to the way David operated – someone who did “what was just and right for all his people” (8v15) – what a refreshing description of a good leader!

And I also like that here is a first mention of my son’s namesake, Benaiah 😊

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

The way God thinks about us, and our worshipful response to God, is far more important than our own dignity or what others may think: contrast how David “danced before the Lord with all his might” with Michal’s earthly reaction.

God is holy – and it is both right to fear Him for His holiness (Perez Uzzah), and also to celebrate that we can freely approach, touch and talk with our Father because Jesus has clothed us in His righteousness.

God’s words are trustworthy, and we can rely on Him. Our position, place, victory and rest are all from the Lord, Whose game is a long game, and Whose legacy is eternal.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

I’m going to be more aware of how I work with my team and colleagues: would the way I work be considered ‘just and right for all’ or do I allow things to creep in that pollute or thwart my good intentions? Perhaps I need to ask!

Who am I going to share this with?

One or two of my team at work, if I’m brave enough!