For the Sake of His People

 "And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel and had blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel." II Samuel 5

I took a moment to watch as the high school students were pouring out their hearts into their labor. Some were scraping the old shingles off the roof. Others were hauling mountains of trash out of the backyard. It took four days for nearly thirty of us to clean up the yard and reroof the house of a young man's family in my friend's ministry. It was exhausting and exhilarating. Blessed are those living for others. 

King David watched, waited and trusted in the Lord all the way to his ascent to the throne. It was not easy living on the run, hiding, and even pretending to be an enemy of his own people. The Lord removed King Saul in his time and gave David the keys to the kingdom. Once foreign kings began to send him gifts, he knew he was established and why, "for the sake of his (God's) people Israel."

We all have our brief moment in the sun. We might not ever sit on a throne, but our life matters just the same. Jesus died to rescue us from our sins. We were created in Christ for good works that he prepared for us in eternity past. Why? Too often we think God blesses us just for us. David knew he was blessed to be a blessing to others. Serve. Protect. Sacrifice. Love. These are the traits of true royalty.

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