We hear about the 'big bang', but it has nothing on this! As you read this and contemplate the magnitude of what he is saying, you almost want to exclaim, "Oh David this is enough!" But, no, no, and on he goes.
You have to pause for breath, and David, the second king of Israel, describes how Almighty God has chosen him and anointed him and used him and rescued him over the years.
We read all the details in the second book of Samuel at Chapter 22 and in Psalm 18 in the Old Testament part of the Bible, God's Holy Word.
When you read verse 17 there is another alarming thought which comes to mind. If all this were not a prophetic utterance you would have to charge David with conceit, but it so very true.
The Lord God Almighty does stoop down at times and choose and elect and raise up a man for leadership.
David has to face a fierce enemy, and we have seen that, and we learned who was behind it all. It was and is the same rascal who is behind the enemies we have to confront! Never overlook the ravages which sin causes.
David was hated, and it is not very nice to be hated, but hated we will be. Leaders have to accept this!
If we are involved in spiritual warfare we will never be successful if we are on our own, and if we think we can do it on our own.
Not even a man with the calling and anointing and qualities and characteristics which David enjoyed can triumph on his own. It was when he was low and down that his enemies attacked, but he was led into a spacious place where he could enjoy the big blessings of God.
This is when leaders so need to have other strong leaders around them, to up hold and uplift and encourage.
When we come to verses 22 to 24, we read of how God saves. This complex complicated character who revealed such vulnerability and weakness is one of the great men of God.
Ah, God doesn't judge and evaluate men as we judge and evaluate. Are you not glad about that?
Despite his worst lapses he is absolutely committed to his God, and he is so even when he has sinned and has had to repent in dust and ashes.
David unfolds deep and abiding principles of how God deals with us.
Do we desire to see God's faithfulness? Then cultivate faithfulness towards God.
To be blameless, or perfect, or complete, or wholehearted, when we conceal nothing from God, and renounce all that displeases Him or offends Him, this determines God's faithful fullness, which He in turn makes available to us.
There are principles for leadership here which we can learn nowhere else in the entire world and yet so many ignore and overlook and even reject all the riches and guidance and direction on offer.
If there are no reservations on our side, there will be none on His, and leaders in every walk of life need to know this and experience the reality of it.
Sandy Shaw
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org/ entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
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