In the last two weeks, we discussed “Training for Reigning.” David, the future king of Israel, went into a wilderness season for thirteen years after his victory over Goliath. David was being “Trained to Reign.” God was preparing him to lead and deliver a nation from the oppression of the enemy. David was being equipped to liberate others by the power of the Spirit working in his life.
A Life of Destiny
Throughout the Bible and church history, God has proven that He will exalt men and women to places of prominence & position, in order that His purposes would be accomplished. God didn’t create you to live a mediocre life! Your life has purpose—destiny is attached.
Consider Joseph, who God destined to be the governor of Egypt and to preserve a “posterity” for Israel, or Moses as a “deliverer” for his people from the bondage of Egypt, and Esther who God elevated to a place of influence and significance for “such a time as this” to deliver Israel from annihilation.
You may not have a destiny that is as large and visible as the ones I mentioned. However, every person you impact and help find freedom is part of you operating in a reigning capacity – your destiny matters! Your new birth experience elevated you to new life in Christ. God has seated you together with Christ in a heavenly realm, and clothed you in His righteousness, glory, and authority. You are more than a conqueror! (Rom. 8:37)
Jesus had more in mind for you and me than mere survival. When the goal of your faith is merely to keep you safe from the devil, your faith is inferior to what God intended! He destined us to overcome and advance His Kingdom. Each conversion plunders hell and populates heaven! Every miracle destroys the works of the devil. All God encounters are an Invasion of the Almighty into our desperate situations. This is our right as sons and daughters in our Father’s Kingdom!
Anointed King
After the death of Saul, David was anointed King; he was destined to reign and his time had come.
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’”
Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah. 2 Sam. 5:1-5
At age 30, David was anointed King over Judah, then all of Israel. David, who thought he would die in the desert at the hand of Saul, now is elevated to lead Judah, then 7 years later, all of Israel. At age 17, he couldn’t see the fullness of what God intended, but God who knows the end from the beginning knew David would walk with Him and lead the nation effectively.
God’s Covenant with David
In 2 Samuel 7, we read that David wanted more territory for God—a permanent place for the ark of God. David desired to increase the “presence” of God in Israel and for the nations. His motive? To advance God’s kingdom. But God says to Nathan, “Have I needed a house of cedar?” Through the prophet, God tells David that he won’t build God’s temple, but his son would.
“Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth.” 2 Sam. 7:8-9
Was David perfect? Certainly not! And neither are you or I. Yet God declared young David “a man after My own heart.” Even more, God elevated him to greatness. A picture of both the mercy and grace of God extended to David—and to each of us through Christ.
“Your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” God’s covenant with David was eternal—family line and David imperfect. (2 Sam. 7:16)
Humility: All the Greatness Belongs to God
“Therefore You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” 2 Sam. 7:22
David humbly declares that any greatness is from God alone. God elevates, even promotes, but greatness is from Him. When this truth is held in balance, the fullness of God’s power can be released through you to free others and advance the Kingdom.
Here is the balance for us today: Jesus warned the disciples not to strive for greatness, but rather to serve others. Be a great person, greatness will follow those who serve others from a heart of love.
“But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Matt. 23:11-12
Moses “was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth”. Num. 11:34
Hmmm, it was Moses who wrote the first five books of the Bible! An inspired, honest assessment of himself.
True humility is not an absence of confidence. Humility recognizes that God is the source of all greatness. False-humility robs God of His glory.
Prov. 28:1: “The wicked flee when no one pursue, but the righteous are bold as a lion!” We can be people of humility and still be confident in who we are. Often, confidence looks like pride to the fearful and doubtful in heart; however, we can be bold because God lives within us!
God Already Has Your Promotion in Mind
Believer, let me say it again: Christ lives in you! When you gave your life to Christ, a “divine exchange” occurred. He took your old nature, nailed it to the cross, and gave you His nature. Your worth is measured by the cross! He died for your restoration to your original purpose: to share God’s glory and bring Him glory by serving others.
God has chosen to make known to the nations the glorious riches of His mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col. 1:27)
God put within you His greatness, created you in His image! And Jesus resides in you, the hope of glory! Paul rejoiced in his sufferings because he loved Jesus more than life. What if Paul had stopped short or had given up? God didn’t give up on Paul.
God, who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it. He has been at work in you since before you were born and will not leave you half-finished. Don’t stop short of God’s promises to you. Don’t stop short of your destiny. He will complete the work that He has set out to do in and through you. You were destined to reign with Him—His greatness in you! “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world!” I John 4:4
He Has Empowered You!
Not only does God’s greatness reside in you through Jesus, but He empowers you to overcome the evil one. His power through you prevails over evil! As a follower of Christ, you are on the offensive line! You have the privilege of living in His victory as an overcomer. He chose you as His representative to free the oppressed and bring justice upon the earth. Through Jesus, you are a “Royal Freedom Fighter!”
We reveal God’s glory when the goal of our faith is to reach people with His love and power. As we serve others, His greatness shines through us. We are not smart enough, strong enough, prepared enough or spiritual enough to do the work God wants us to do. However, He is, and He will finish the work through us that He began in us! Don’t stop short of His glory and destiny being revealed in your life.
Agree with God’s Pronouncement Over Your Life
In 2 Samuel 7:25, David agrees with God’s word and prays it back to God:
“Now, O Lord God, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, establish it forever and do as You have said.”
God will never remind you of your failures when He calls you to do something great. Instead He calls you to courage by proclaiming something over you like, “You’re a mighty warrior,” “A father of many nations,” or “You’re the one all of Israel is waiting on!”
Remember David’s declarative praise in the cave, Psalm 34:1: David says to his men, “I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
He declares it as truth, knowing that God has already revealed His will for David. David doesn’t fall into pride or into false humility. He was rising to the identity that God had already declared over him. Step into the fullness of your identity and calling!
You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways. When they cast you down, and you say, ‘Exaltation will come!’ Then He will save the humble person. Job 22:28-29
What has God spoken over your life? What identity has He given you? Or do you see yourself as small and insignificant? David declared God’s word over his life.
Destined to Reign
God has destined you to reign with Him, not just exist! The Greater One lives within you and delights in you. He wants to bless & prosper you, give you everything that you need to be a success in this life, and accomplish that which He created you for.
The Church is called to be a glorious bride, subduing the kingdoms of darkness for Christ. Church, are you ready to embrace greatness and not settle for just “existing?” It’s time for the saints of God to arise to their destiny – revival – worldwide harvest – nations saved! We have been called to teach the nations how to stop giants, prosper in famines, rebuild cities and restore families ravaged by the devil.
God is looking for someone who will align themselves with heaven. Just one, that’s all it takes for Him to invade. It starts with surrender, loving Jesus, then others. The Lord is calling His church from a place of obscurity to a place of visibility. God destined the Church to reveal His glory confidently to the world to liberate others!
Want to learn more? Watch this sermon from Passion Church, “Destined to Reign”:
