May 12

David's rise to kingship in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles is not marked by ambition, but by surrender. When Saul dies, the path to the throne opens, yet David does not rush into power. Instead, he mourns Saul (2 Samuel 1), honors the fallen, seeks God's direction (2 Samuel 2:1), and patiently leads only part of Israel until God unites the kingdom.

Similarly, in 1 Chronicles 11, we see David becoming king in fulfillment of God’s promise, not through manipulation but through faithful waiting. Men are drawn to him not by conquest, but because “the Lord your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel’” (1 Chronicles 11:2). His leadership is defined by service, not self-exaltation.

Psalm 96 then calls us to worship this same God with joy and reverence. David, now king, points us back to the true King—God Himself—who is “greatly to be praised” (Psalm 96:4) and worthy of glory from every nation. Even in power, David worships.

In Acts 21, Paul embodies this same spirit of surrender. Though warned repeatedly about the suffering awaiting him in Jerusalem, he responds with humility: “I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). Like David, Paul is not chasing comfort or acclaim. He is following God's will, no matter the cost.

Together, these passages remind us that true greatness in God’s Kingdom doesn’t come from seizing control, but from surrendering to His timing, His purpose, and His glory. Whether in leadership or in suffering, the call remains the same: seek God, wait on Him, and point others back to Him.

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