Reading With the People of God #10 KingdomSample

Focus of the month: (Kingdom)

7 Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, 8 and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 9 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall waste them no more, as formerly, 10 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that the LORD will build you a house. 11 When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, 14 but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’ ”.

- 1 Chronicles 17:7-14

A Heart of Rebellion or a Life in the Spirit?

In 2 Samuel 15, we see Absalom’s rebellion against his father, King David. Absalom uses deceit and flattery to turn the hearts of Israel against God’s chosen king. His actions show the destructive power of selfish ambition. Like Absalom, we often rebel against God’s authority, thinking we know better than Him. Our sinful nature leads us to try and take control, even when it means tearing apart relationships and ignoring God’s will.

In contrast, Romans 8 points us to a better way—the way of the Spirit. Paul contrasts living by the flesh (our sinful desires) with living by the Spirit. Those who are in Christ are no longer slaves to their sinful nature. Instead, they are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live according to God’s will. The Spirit gives us peace, assures us of our adoption as God’s children, and leads us in righteousness.

As we reflect on Absalom’s rebellion and the work of the Spirit, we must ask ourselves:

1. Are we living according to our own selfish desires?
2. Are we walking in the Spirit?

The gospel calls us to repent of our pride and rebellion and to trust in Christ’s finished work for our salvation, relying on the Holy Spirit to guide us each day. As we read the following chapter, let us pray, “Lord, forgive us for the times we’ve acted out of selfish ambition. Fill us with Your Spirit, that we might live for You and not ourselves. Help us to walk in humility and obedience to Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

* primer contributed by Tomas Portillo, a sinner saved by grace.