A MOUTHPIECE FOR THE LORD

Can I pray for you in any way?

Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.

In Christ, Mark

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These are the last words of David: The oracle of David, son of Jesse, the oracle of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, Israel's singer of songs:

“The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: 'When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.'“

"Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire? “

“But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand. Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie."

2 Samuel 23:1-7

This ends our reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

As 2 Samuel, chapter 23 opens, we read a short passage that begins with “the last words of David”. We might be led to think that this is the last time we will read words from Israel’s king but we’ll see that he speaks several more times before his passing.

Perhaps what the writer meant was that this would be David’s last proclamation…the last time he would give an address.

So what does David say in this distinguished section?

We find him giving important guidance for anyone who might be called to a position of leadership but before that, he does two things:

1. He tells his readers a little bit about him (if they hadn’t known already), letting them know he was the son of Jesse…that he was exalted by the Most High (more on that in a minute)…that he was a man anointed by God…and that he was a singer of Psalms.

Additionally…and more importantly…

2. He tells his readers that the “Spirit of the Lord”…the ”God of Israel”…the “Rock of Israel” was speaking through him, placing His words on David’s tongue.

So what was the Lord’s message, delivered through David?

It was as follows:

“When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.' “

In this message on leadership, the Lord uses a classic cause and effect statement. For whenever a leader rules in righteousness, not doing what he or she thinks is right but what God desires, then he or she becomes a blessing to their people, supervising them in a way that is likened to “the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning” or “like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.”

In other words, a God-fearing, righteous-conscious leader promotes growth and prosperity in those they lead.

So what is the reward for one who leads in this way?

David shares this from his own experience:

“Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire? “

While David attempted to lead Israel in the way the Lord wanted, it was God who took care of guiding him and his family. Conversely, those who choose sinful, evil ways over righteousness will only experience the Lord’s judgment…”cast aside like thorns” and “burned up where they lie."

So in David’s last recorded message, an important note on leadership, we see him completely submit himself to his God, allowing himself to be a mouthpiece through which the Lord could speak.

Has this ever happened to you? Have you experienced God speaking through you to others?

It happens to me every day as I write these messages and teach from the scriptures. Further, I am a teacher at my church and get to prepare lessons to instruct my class there. In both instances, I will never take ownership of my words as if they had come from me. Rather, I want others to know that it is the Lord who speaks to me, giving me the words to type or say. With this, He is the One who is to receive all the praise and glory for the outcome from my writing or teaching. For me, just the mere truth that He uses me in such a way is blessing enough as I get the opportunity to partner with Him to make a difference in the lives of others.

The good news for all believers is that the Lord is willing, able, and ready to speak through anyone at anytime. All we need to do is stand ready to respond to His calling through the Holy Spirit within when God is ready to put His words on our tongue to share with others, just as David did.

My friends, there’s no greater sense of purpose than when you’re being used as an instrument of ministry by the living God. My prayer is that you will allow Him to do His work through you today and every day thereafter.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.