Today’s readings:
Acts 13:13-25
Psalm 89:2-27
John 13:16-20
David was a holy warrior. To be holy is to be set apart. To be a warrior is to engage the enemy. David was set apart by God to lead His people Israel and take the land promised by God. He was not perfect, and actually committed two very despicable sins, that of adultery and murder. God knew, but still raised him, because he was “a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.” (Acts 13:22b).
David is a model for being a servant leader and a holy warrior. Those of us who are called as such are still sinners (though we should really strive not to sin), but are distinguished by our love for God, our imitation of Christ as humble and suffering servant, and our docility to the Holy Spirit in accomplishing God’s and His Church’s mission.
David was among a long line of illustrious instruments used by God, from Abram to Moses to Joshua to the “judges up to Samuel the prophet” (Acts 13:20b) to the kings, starting with Saul and then David (Acts 13:21-22a). This was all according to God’s eternal plan, ultimately leading to sending His very own Son Jesus into the world. “From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.” (Acts 13:23).
As servant leaders and holy warriors, we are mere instruments. God can and will do great things through His instruments, as He intends, but we must never lose sight of who and what we are. Jesus himself tells us, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.” (Jn 13:16).
We must always maintain our focus on Christ, our humility in the face of greatness, and our zeal in doing God’s will and never ours. This was shown by God’s final instrument before Jesus himself, and that was John the Baptist. People thought he might be the messiah, but as he “was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’” (Acts 13:25).
If we understand and live out all these, then we will be used mightily by God and be greatly blessed as we serve Him. “If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.” (Jn 13:17). We must be aware that the enemy will assault us. We can fall, and many do. Great leaders have greatly sinned, even with adultery, murder through gossip and slander, and pride. Remember that even one of the apostles betrayed Jesus, who was chosen personally by him. “I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the scripture might be fulfilled, ‘The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.’” (Jn 13:18b). How many times have God’s servants ended up serving not Jesus but the evil one? How many times have God’s warriors raised their heel not against the devil but against their Lord?
What can help us maintain the right course?
One, we must know who our God is and be grateful for that. He is the great King, “a God dreaded in the council of the holy ones, greater and more awesome than all those around him!” (Ps 89:8). We then serve no other gods, including mammon.
Two, we must be faithful to God and to His cause, as He Himself is faithful to us and to our covenant with Him. “Lord, God of hosts, who is like you? Mighty Lord, your faithfulness surrounds you.” (Ps 89:9). Servants can only sit around their Master, and soldiers surround their Commander-in-Chief, if they are faithful, loyal and dependable.
Three, we must realize that God is Creator of the universe and Jesus is the rightful King of the world. “Yours are the heavens, yours the earth; you founded the world and everything in it.” (Ps 89:12). But the enemy has usurped God’s dominion. This is why the world is in such a terrible mess, and covered by the darkness of sin. There is much work to be done, and we are among those sent to do it.
Four, we must know that our God is a victorious King and we share in that victory. “You crush Rahab with a mortal blow; with your strong arm you scatter your foes.” (Ps 89:11). We then look to Him for our strength, power and victory. “You have a mighty arm. Your right hand is strong; your right hand is ever exalted.” (Ps 89:14). We look to confronting the enemy with confidence. “You are their majestic strength; by your favor our horn is exalted.” (Ps 89:18). We can endure and persevere in the struggle, under God’s protection and care. “Truly the Lord is our shield, the Holy One of Israel, our King!” (Ps 89:19).
With all the above, God can do for us what He has done for David, as He “set a leader over the warriors; .... raised up a chosen one from the people.” (Ps 89:20b). Having chosen and anointed David His servant (Ps 89:21), God made him strong, did not allow the enemy to defeat him, and crushed his foes (Ps 89:22-24). God was faithful and merciful to him, and exalted him in power and strength (Ps 89:25).
God calls us and gives us the privilege to be His holy warriors. To be blessed, we must be holy. “Blessed the people .... who walk in the radiance of your face, Lord.” (Ps 89:16b). To be blessed, we must faithfully do our mission. “Blessed the people who know the war cry” (Ps 89:16a). Ho-wa! We must be people after God’s own heart, and we must carry out His every wish.
Whatever challenges we face, oppressions we endure, and pains we suffer, we can be ever joyful, knowing we are God’s holy warriors. “In your name they sing joyfully all the day; they rejoice in your righteousness.” (Ps 89:17).
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