What makes some men great? While walking through the ongoing archeological dig of David's Palace in the City of David - Jerusalem - my mind was drawn to these passages and could not escape from these thoughts: Why is David's legacy still remembered? And what went wrong with the kings after him? What happened before David? The Jewish people, called Hebrews at the time, were a theocracy, ruled by God. Yet the people wanted a physical, human king, someone tangible to be like the other nations around them. Perhaps, like we try to find a tangible substitute for God in our lives. God granted the request with specific instructions. Hence Israel chose Saul, who brings us to David anointed to be king after Saul. "Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “Behold, you ... Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.” 1 Sam 7:4-9
Long before Israel had kings, Moses wrote God's guidelines for them. Long ahead of time, God knew what would be the downfall of their human leaders. This passage never before stood out to me until reading through the legacies of Israel and Judah's kings that descend from David. A common theme is the idolatry brought in from foreign nations, often by marrying foreigners, or the love for glory, recognition, power or money. “When you come to the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you possess it and dwell in it and then say, ‘I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me,’ you may indeed set a king over you whom the Lord your God will choose. ...Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall never return that way again.’ And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold." Deut 7: 14-17 "And {God's Law} shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel. "Deut 7:18-20 God never left His people without guidance, but time and time again they would shun Him, turn to idolatry, and face years of hardships personally and internationally. All three of these commands Israel and Judah would fail to obey. Since we, however, are not kings, can we not be like David? Just as God gave guidance and promises to the kings, so also does He love, provide, instruct, reprove, and protect His children today. We have been given a treasure in Scripture, letters from One who unconditionally loves us and wants what is best for us. Let it be out of trust in who God is that we seek to know and walk in His Word. In just one generation we see the heartaches David experienced within his own family. Between the many wives and sons and daughters, strife was brought into his home with sin {2 Sam 12, 13, 18}. How much tragedy could he have avoided by obeying the commands given him - the truths he proclaimed as a youth? The lineage that follows only spread the foreign idolatry, conspiring, tributes, and wickedness. It is easier to pick out history's failures, but this is applicable to today. Will those who come behind us find us faithful? So perhaps David's fame is due to his many psalms, or credited to the legendary stories of his valor, but I think it is because of the relationship he had following God. His heart was poured out before his Creator whom he loved and sought out.
This - David's submission to and trust in God's Word - this was his strength. This is greatness. "Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, 'Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me thus far? And yet this was a small thing in Your eyes, O Lord God. You have spoken also of Your servant's house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord God! And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord God! Because of your promise, and according to Your own heart, You have brought about all this greatness, to make Your servant know it. Therefore You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, and there is no God besides You..." 2 Sam 7: 18-22 It was such a blessing to travel again with Medical Missions Outreach - this time partnered with the Wyatts in Morogoro, Tanzania! Together with Faith Baptist Church of Morogoro we were excited to meet and serve over 2,700 patients who lined up hours in advance for the medical and vision clinics. No medicine cures sin, but we pray this tangible extension of love will be a continuing reminder that they are so greatly loved by their Creator and that He desires a relationship with them! We worked together, rejoiced together, and shared meals together; it was sweet fellowship. The country is beautiful in so many ways: from the 2 month old patient to 92 yr old patient, from the lush mountains to the dry safari, from the laughing children to the wise elderly. I hope you can see a piece of our trip in these photos, and really see beyond the bright colors and new sights, look to see the people as people, to see the needs of those around the world and in your home, the joy in some of their smiles and emptiness in others, to see how big the world is yet how much God cares and sees every corner of it! .... and yes we really were that close to the lions :) Sunday: Faith Baptist Church, MorogoroThese sweet ladies cooked for hours in advance to prepare lunch; each week the church enjoys an afternoon meal together before gathering for the afternoon service. Calvary's Love Children's HomeThis is home to 6 wonderful boys, Richard, Christopher, Abdallah, Ambukile, Kasim, and Andrew, as well as their house parents Tito & Mace Ngumbe and little Jonathan. Tito and Maci grew up in the same town and at Faith Baptist Church. The serve so cheerfully and lovingly in so many ways! During the week, they graciously hosted us for a delicious homemade dinner. The boys were so eager to help in the clinic and enjoying the week off from classes. Clinic: Medical & VisionSo many church members, teachers, and nurses from the area came to help during the week; they were gracious to translate for us! They were patient enough to teach us little phrases in Swahili. Morogoro |
AuthorI will be the first to admit that I am not a writer, but have a sincere aspiration to articulate Truth with grace, in love, seasoned with salt. Here is a journal of sorts, or photo documentations of a journey - one currently around the world in Papua New Guinea working at the Kunai Health Center. Thanks for visiting and your support! Archives
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