When I read about David’s life and all he built, what makes the strongest impression on me is his acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty. David wouldn’t take credit. In our “maker” culture, where we are all busy building our own kingdoms, making sure our business plans are unique and well-positioned, our products are perfect, and our homes are worthy of envy, David demonstrated his eyes were not on himself but on the One who made it all possible. He began and ended his ministry by acknowledging the absolute sovereignty of God in the lives of his people (1 Sam. 17:47; 1 Chron. 29:10–14). The passage above are some of his last words before Solomon was appointed king and David died.
At this point in his life, David was beloved to the point of reverence. He could have stood before an audience and taken credit for the kingdom, the treasury, and the peace, and all would have cheered for him. Instead, in every sentence of this would-last-for-eternity speech, he made sure all knew credit went to the Lord. This was the secret to how he slept despite his flaws and danced regardless of who was watching. David knew that everything belongs to the Lord. True spiritual confidence doesn’t come from our own talents or accomplishments. It comes from an assurance that all of it—everything, including you and me—is God’s.
Beth Guckenberger is the author of Start with Amen: How I Learned to Surrender by Keeping the End in Mind. She and her husband Todd serve as co-executive directors of Back2Back Ministries. Adapted from Start With Amen: How I Learned to Surrender by Keeping the End in Mind© Beth Guckenberger (W Publishing Group), used by permission.
