Be God's Servant, Not Your Own King: Lessons From David

We live in a society that tells us we are the boss and master of our lives. Subconsciously, it also implies that God should be working for us. On our timelines, schedules, and priorities… some even believe that He's a supporting actor in a universe we sit at the center of. Ensuring we get what we want and believe we deserve - with our Savior clapping from the sidelines.

However, the complete opposite must be true for the Believer in Christ, our one true King. When we take a closer look at Biblical truth - a life with a self-crowning perspective couldn't be further from what the Lord actually wants. It requires no surrender, no humility and no inconvenience. Although there may be visible representations, or shadows, of abundant blessings… at the core there is a never-ending emptiness that nags away at the spirit. An unsettling dullness that at any point can unravel an entire life with one pull of a string. Being the master of our lives cannot build a foundation that leads to the true riches in Christ that the Bible speaks about. Building a life with surrendered power and control to Jesus is far more fulfilling than any self-crowning that this world can provide.

David the king, God's servant

The story of David, from being discovered as a child to becoming King, is one of the best representations of an anointed man stepping into a dynamic legacy of generational leadership, influence, and blessings. However, as he entered this role of King over all of Israel, David constantly anchored his identity in who he served. He didn't call himself a King when speaking to God, nor did he order or beg Him to meet his self-serving needs as he took on this mantle.

Instead, as David steps into Kingship and deeper covenant, he humbly calls himself God's servant. (2 Samuel 7:18-27, NIV)

"For you know your servant, Sovereign Lord. For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant." (2 Samuel 7:20-21, NIV)

May David's surrendered heart and lament to God as he takes the throne be our prayer forever. And before God released blessings onto the house of David, there were key things God had to do in him first:

Obedience - Far better than sacrifice

Learning the importance of obeying God and surrendering to His will is always worth it. Before David, God made it clear through Samuel that obedience is better than sacrifice:

"And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken more than the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15:22).

Saul's disobedience was a stark contrast to how David enters the picture. David is obedient, humble, surrendered and ready to serve God. Even when given the chance to get revenge on Saul - whose desire to kill him caused him to be a nomad on the run for years - David chose to honor God in obedience by not harming him in retaliation, remembering that God still chose Saul to be King.

Obedience isn't always easy, and we can reason our way out of it by going through mental hoops, doubt and even questioning. But God's ways are much higher than ours, and as His servants, we must still remember who the true master is. His name is Jesus, and He knows every "why" behind our "yes". Not just in big moments, but in our everyday lives as we continue growing closer to Him.

In this season, what does it look like to live in obedience to God? The last time you intentionally chose obedience over sacrifice, what was on the other side of it? – Peace? Joy? Revelation? Contentment? Let's aim to find the beauty in obedience as God's servants.

Humility - God looks at the heart

Before his anointing, David was first found doing a humble, lowly yet honorable thing: tending to sheep. In that humility, The spirit of the Lord went to David and departed from Saul - reminding us all that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.

"…the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7, NIV)

To be clear, humility doesn't imply soft-spokenness or silence. But rather us surrendering entitlement, pride and a self-seeking/transactional nature. God looks at the heart, and if it's full of humility, honoring where He has us placed in this season - like David - there can be much fruit. Is there an area of your life where Christ-like humility should replace pride? There's so much fulfillment in being joyfully committed while waiting on the Lord, just like David. As servants of Christ, it's important that we remain in a humble heart posture regardless of our season.

Boldness - If God is for us, who can be against us?

Young David is the epitome of having boldness for Christ, especially as he prepared to defeat Goliath with only a slingshot. Not for one second did he believe he would lose - not because of his own strength, but because of who he served. In 1 Samuel 17:37, NIV he says:

"..the Lord that delivered me out of the paws of the lion.. And the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine."

David's courage came from Christ! He remembered what God had done, was prepared, and knew that if God was for him, it didn't matter who was against him.

We should have that same confidence regardless of the circumstance. In our lives when the enemy tries to make us size up the mountain in front of us, we must never forget that God is exponentially greater.

When is the last time you've boldly spoken the word of God to a situation that seems far greater than you? Have you resized it to be incomparable to God's infinite power and might? Like David's slingshot, what has God uniquely given you as a tool to strategically win your battles? Trust in God and His word, with boldness today.

Focus - don't get distracted

When Goliath cursed at David and the Israelites, David didn't flinch. With extreme focus and clarity, he goes on to say in 1 Samuel 17:45-47, NIV

"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and He will give all of you into our hands."

In this moment, he knew his assignment, had diligently prepared and was focused on divine strategy - to strike Goliath between the eyes. David chose to ignore Goliath's curses and focused on the leverage that God gave him. Even when presented with the opportunity to use Saul's sword; it didn't fit him. The sling shot was what David knew best and he didn't let intimidation or lack of weapons stop him from knowing he'd win the battle - God was on his side.

What has the Lord revealed as your primary focus in this season as his servant? What distractions do you need to actively reject to remain on course? Have you identified what tools God uniquely gave you?

Forgiveness - a command

The cat and mouse game that many of us are familiar with between Saul and David must have been exhausting for David. When honor is met with envy, jealousy, and a desire to eradicate your existence, the natural inclination is to harbor bitterness, anger, resentment and most of all… unforgiveness. In the world's eyes, that is completely valid - and those experiences and feelings are real.

However, as a servant of Christ we are commanded to forgive. It's not an option. I believe what helped David forgive was his commitment to servanthood, obedience, and his knowing that God keeps His promises. Saul was fighting an anointing and decree that God said was going to come to pass regardless, one that could never be eradicated by man.

David's constant forgiveness of Saul, even honoring him greatly after his death, shows the depth of a forgiving heart - one that we should all have as believers:

"Saul and Jonathan— in life they were loved and admired, and in death they were not parted. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions." (2 Samuel 1:23, NIV)

Is there any unchecked unforgiveness that you'd like to bring to God? It's never easy, but necessary as God's servant to constantly check our hearts, and forgive generously.

In Conclusion

It's an honor and privilege to serve Christ on this side of eternity. When moments come to crown ourselves "King", we must dethrone ourselves and place Him in his rightful place in our hearts, minds and actions. Seeking Him constantly to be more obedient, humble, bold, focused and forgiving. Not because we want something from Him, but because He's beyond worthy of our devotion. Being His servant is enough - that's the true blessing.