Text: 2 Samuel 7:8, 15 KJV
Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
MESSAGE
In our reading of today, we saw God speak concerning two of Israel’s first kings. In simple terms, it takes mercy to be a leader in God’s service. Today many run up and down lobbying to hold key positions in the ministry and circular offices. So sad that we are even seeing the era of Godfatherism and caucuses in the church.
Having established from our previous lessons that mercy brings a man to the right place at the right time. No one will doubt that God’s mercy brought Saul to Samuel the prophet. He was simply looking for His father’s lost asses and by the hands of Providence met with Samuel. His destiny has been sealed by God, he was to become the commander over God’s people. 1 Samuel 9.
Though Saul was from the least tribe in Israel, Benjamin and his family were the least among his tribe (1 Samuel 9:21). But God lifted him to the top – he became the first king in the Land. God planned to secure his throne forever, but he sinned, and mercy was withdrawn.
It is a frightful thing for God to remove His mercy from one’s life. Saul who prophesied with the prophets suddenly became a mad king going to war with a young man who has received mercy. We must be careful not to play with sin, it is damaging, sin is cancerous, it can lead to one losing favour with God.
David a mere shepherd boy received mercy, God said, I took him from the sheepcote from following after sheep. Somehow no one thought David could ever get to the top. He was so insignificant in the sight of men that His Father did not present him before Samuel (1 Samuel 16:11). Was he condemned by men to shepherding? Whatever it is, God had plans to put him on top.
David did not receive temporary mercy, God said he will never take his mercy from David. We read in 1 Kings 3:6 where Solomon spoke about God showing King David his father great mercy. God brought David a nobody and gave him a covenant of everlasting mercy. May the Lord bring us into this in Jesus Name.
To get to the top or become a leader – a man must receive mercy, above that, a man continually obtain mercy to stay in God’s appointed leadership position. The Bible says it is God that puts a man up and sets another one down – while aiming for the top, seek God’s mercy that brought the poor shepherd boy to the highest position in the land.
May you reach your goal and the mercy of God will keep you up in Jesus’ Name. Amen. Finally, friend, beware of sin. It can cut short a man from God’s plans and purposes for his life.
REFLECTION
Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Isaiah 55:3
Let us listen to God’s voice and live. God has a special plan to lift us up, but we must walk into it by mercy. May you receive mercy for the top today in Jesus’ Name.
Good morning and God bless you.
