Today's reading: 2 Samuel 22; Ephesians 5
This song David sings to the Lord in 2 Samuel 22 is a really encouraging example of faithful humility.
As David speaks, on the one hand, he doesn't shy away from his own accomplishments, or down play what he has achieved, but on the other hand, he recognizes that all of it is from the Lord. Whether it was something more nebulous, like nations he didn't previously know coming and subjecting themselves to him, or something concrete he had accomplished, like running against a troop, in both cases he rightly attributes it all to God.
This is a refreshing balance to me. Too often the picture of humility you see from people in the church is almost an unwillingness to admit they did anything at all. You thank or praise someone for something and their response is something like, "Well, that wasn't really me at all, it was the Lord." And while I appreciate the sentiment, the reality is that no, that was you. The power, ability, wisdom, or whatever else may have come from the Lord, but you made the choice to step out in faith and act on what He had put before you. We are not God's puppets who are forced to do whatever He desires us to do, we are His freewill agents that He has gifted and called into service, but who, because of our freewill, can choose not to participate. Biblical humility is not refusing to take credit for what you do in faithful service to the Lord, but is recognizing the fact that the power and ability behind that service is not your own. This is why David can sing to God, celebrating his accomplishments, and praising the one who enabled and empowered those accomplishments.
This song also points to a cycle of faith and accomplishment. David did not accomplish so much because he was a charismatic leader and powerful warrior, and then decide after the fact that it was probably God who made those things true. David accomplished so much because he was willing to trust God and step out in faith on His promises. David wasn't sure he could defeat Goliath because he was a more experienced fighter, he was sure because he knew God could give him victory over any foe, no matter how strong or experienced. The more David was willing to trust and step out, the greater his accomplishments, which likely deepened his faith and made it easier to step out even further and trust God even more, resulting in yet greater accomplishments. And while God may not be calling us to defeat the Philistines, this cycle is very much applicable to our lives. The more we are willing to trust God and step out in faith, the more we will accomplish in His name, which will strengthen our faith and willingness to step out, which leads to greater accomplishments, and so on.
I want more of this kind of faith. I want my life to continually be accomplishing more for the Lord because I am continuously growing in radical trust in Him and His promises. He is good, He is powerful beyond imagination, and He is calling us to participate with Him, by His power, in the building up of His kingdom here on this earth. So am I, like David, going to spend the rest of my life growing increasingly faithful to His call? I very much hope so...
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