God, David, and the Voting Booth

Sermon Theme: Human leadership, even the best of it, will always lead us to some kind of disappointment. Only hope in the son of David – the King of Kings – will not fail us.

Reading Theme: As we’ve traced the promise from Abraham to David, now we will trace the kingship, moving down the line of David, eventually to King Jesus.

STUDY THE SCRIPTURE 

Click here to access the reading from 1 Samuel 16:1-13, 2 Samuel 7:4, 8-16 

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You will find the Sermon Notes for today’s message here.

REFLECTION

God Chooses David

by Elaine Pierce

David's story is a fascinating one. He was the youngest son, which in the culture of his day, would mean that he did not have bright prospects for a successful future. And yet, God chose him to be King. As God tells Nathan the prophet in 1 Samuel 16:7:  "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."  

Why did God choose David to be King? His older brothers certainly fit the "kingly look" criteria. When Nathan meets Eliab, the firstborn, he thinks to himself: "Surely the LORD'S anointed stands here before the LORD."  

I don't know why God chose David. But I do know that God used him mightily, despite his many flaws. And David wrote many psalms where he poured out his heart and asked God for forgiveness. For example, in Psalm 51, David says "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.  Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight."(This was after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband killed in battle.)

David becomes King, and the nation of Israel prospers. David wants to honor God by building him a magnificent home (2 Samuel 7:1-2).  But God has other plans. David's son, Solomon, will build the temple. Again, why did God decide that Solomon would have this honor, rather than David?

I don't have the answers. But what I do have is the assurance that God is merciful, and that all who call upon him will be saved! Draw strength from these words in Psalm 103:11-13 (another one of the 74 psalms David wrote):

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from.  As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.  

God knew David's heart. God knows my heart, and he knows yours. Draw near to him, and you will find rich mercy, grace and forgiveness. Yes, you will also find justice and righteousness. But you will find rest for your soul, and you will find hope and a plan to bless you and others. He is waiting to receive you, and he loves you not because of your goodness, but because he is good.  Amen!

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER

Sundays - PEACE - Blessed are the Shalom-makers, for they shall be called the children of God. We confess that we have all sinned and fallen short of your glory, O God. We have broken the peace and wholeness of your good world. Forgive us, lead us, and restore us. Reform us into peacemakers instead of peace-breakers.