Ish- Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The tribe of Judah, however, remained loyal to David.
2 Samuel 2:10
We may find ourselves placed in one community but God has called us to have a heart for the world.
It’s very easy to lead well where you are liked. It’s very easy to fit in where others are like you. But when Jesus was leaving this earth he told his disciples to follow after him and go into all the world and make disciples of every nation.
David was a good shepherd, much like Jesus was when he walked this earth. He led the people around him well but he also went into other communities and led those people as well. David was called by God as a young boy to be king over all of his people. And David having a heart after God didn’t take the call lightly but also didn’t take the call into his own hands. He trusted God with the timing and the path. David had to learn how to be patient, how to listen well, and how to grow in wisdom and stature.
David faithfully followed king Saul even when king Saul was trying to kill him. He Mourned King Saul‘s death even though king Saul hated him in life. He allowed Ish-Bosheth, Saul’s son to be crowned king after Saul’s death, even though David knew God had called him to be king over all of Israel. Then David reigned patiently over Judah for 2 years, while also welcoming the thoughts of all of Israel.
He was a good and faithful king to his people but he was also willing to listen to all of Israel because he knew that was God’s desire for him.
All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them.
2 Samuel 3:36
There’s an opportunity every day for us to be like the good shepherd, for us to lead the people around as well, as well as listen to those who are unlike us. God wants us to shepherd our sheep and that means going after those that have strayed. When we listen to the thoughts of those that are unlike us, we are being willing to hear all of God’s creation. We by no means have to agree with all, but when we listen to all we can grow closer to God. We can weigh all thoughts, all opinions, all things against the truth, God’s Word.
For all of my children’s life, I’ve taught them to not go with the crowd. Don’t just have a stance because that’s what everyone like you believes. I’ve told them to listen to all people and then take what you hear and take it to God. Pray about it, let it weigh on you, search for it in scripture, and let the Holy Spirit lead you. Then you will make decisions out of Truth and not out of circumstance or feelings.
God has called us to the whole world, and if we are closed off to the world and only open to those like us, we are losing the world instead of saving it. We have to be opened handed to be open hearted so that the hurt of all people will break our hearts wide open for God. Daily I’ve been praying for God to break my heart for what breaks his, so that I don’t fall in the pattern of only seeing things through the eyes of my current circumstance, community, people, situation.
David loved his people, the people of Judah, but God’s call on him was for all of Israel. He could’ve just led the people of Judah and overtaken the people of Israel to lead them, but God wanted him to open his heart to what the people of Israel had to say. And when he followed God’s leading and not the leading of his heart, David made good decisions that lead all of the people to love him and eventually crown him king of ALL of Israel.
We need to be like David, lead the people around us well by being willing to listen well to all people. Then change will happen and love will overcome. God called us to the world, and that starts right where you are.
Running 2 Fly 