To Encourage You

2 Samuel 23:3-4 “When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, he dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.”

In the words above we have some of the last words of Israel’s greatest earthly king as, by the Holy Spirit, he reflects on a greater King still.  Here is David, speaking by the Holy Spirit of the Son of David, for though Jesus was David’s son, He was also David’s Lord (Matthew 22:41-46).   David was declaring the truth of how the rule of a righteous king is like a breath of fresh air to those under his authority.  Perhaps you’ve had a hint of this when a new president, one whom you voted for, comes to power, when one of the opposite party had ruled up to that time.  Because this new president holds views that you share, when he is inaugurated, you are optimistic for a fresh start.  Sadly, those sentiments are often dampened rather quickly as the shortcomings of the new president become all too apparent and what began with a sense of hope turns to cynicism.  Else, why do we see such a pattern in the United States that almost every time a new president comes to power, many from his party are voted out of the legislature just two years after his rule begins.  And so it seems that nothing ever really changes, as the problems that face our country just keep going on and on.  

But David points to a different reality that is the blessing of those who serve under the authority of a truly righteous king.  David uses several beautiful similes as he points to what such service is like.  He tells us that it’s like the dawn, a new and fresh morning, one in which the sun shines brightly in a sky without clouds and the morning rain causes the grass to sprout with fresh growth from the earth.  It’s a picture of optimism, of hope, of expectation, and of joy.  And it’s exactly what one finds when they bow their knees in submission to Jesus, the King of kings.  

Sadly, the vast majority resist this. They want to rule their own lives and do their own thing. They have the attitude of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, who said, in essence, “We do not want this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14).  Such is the condition of those who live in “the domain of darkness” (Colossians 1:13), yet think that all is well.  They think the worst thing that could ever happen to them would be to submit to the One Who dwells in inapproachable light, but it is their sin that makes the light hurt their spiritual eyes.  It’s like one who in the middle of the night has a bright light flashed in their face.  The problem, however, is with their eyes, and not with the light. Jesus put it this way in Matthew 6:22-23: “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”  Then, right after this He spoke of the anxiety that fills so many people’s lives.  And it’s all because they’re listening to and submitting to someone other than the King Who is the Light of the World.  

You see, it’s only in submitting to this great and righteous King that our eyes are opened to the greatest hope of the world. It’s only as we submit to the “Most High (who) rules the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:17) that true peace floods the soul. It is in submission to this King that we find One Whose “mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is (his) faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:23).  It is only those who live in submission to this loving King who can say with joyful trust like David himself did when he wrote the words of Psalm 5:3, “O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.” Yes, David waited in expectation for this One Who “dawn(ed) on (him) like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.” And that’s exactly what you will find if you, likewise, submit your life to this King.  Your life can be like the glory of dawn as you look each and every day to the One who controls the sun.  

So, this morning, is that your outlook? Are you living in the shadow of the Great Shepherd Who has promised those who follow Him, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow (you) all the days of my life, (and at the end of this life, you) shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6)? Have you submitted your life to the great King of kings?