7“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel. 8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men of the earth. 9 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 10 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies.      “‘I declare to you that the LORD will build a house for you:1 Chronicles 17:7-10 (NIV)David wanted to build a house for God, but God let David know of his plans to bless and to protect David. God also had plans for the people of Israel, to give them a home of their own. He would protect them from wicked people and subdue all their enemies.

Isn’t this an interesting sequence of events. David wanted to bless God, and God in turn blessed David. Isn’t that just like God? If we would only remember who holds the keys to the storehouses of blessings for us all.

David was so different from many other kings who set out to make a name for themselves, and attempted to reign for as long as possible, even if it meant killing their own sons to prevent having an heir who might challenge the throne.

David wasn’t a perfect king; only Jesus could live up to that expectation. David made many mistakes which were recorded in the Bible. But he did have a servant’s heart, and he kept the good of his people in mind as opposed to using his subjects to build a kingdom for his own glory.

Father God, help us to see how it pleases you for us to have a servant’s heart. Help us to put others’ needs ahead of our own. Help us to serve you by serving others.

Copyright © 2008 by Janice Green

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.