CHOSEN AND EXALTED BY GRACE

Every time I read through the account of David's life I thank God that someone wrote it down. David was incredibly fervent in his devotion to God, and also more than a little rough around the edges. In today's OT reading we see David deliver swift justice to Ish-Bosheth's assassins, follow God's leading in battle, persistently seek to bring the ark into Jerusalem, dance with abandon before the Lord, and deliver a scathing rebuke (and a rather harsh follow-up; see 2 Sam 6:23!) to his wife when she chides him for his worship behavior.

But what's also amazing to see is that David attributed his rise to the throne and his conquests to God's grace, not his own efforts. We see this first in the speech that the elders of Israel make: "And the Lord said to you, You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler." (2 Sam 5:2) His conquests are no different -- David realizes God's behind his taking Jerusalem (2 Sam 5:10, 12), as well as his victories against the Philistines (2 Sam 5:20). And when David rebukes his wife Michal, he underscores that it was God who chose him to rule Israel, and so God deserves even more worship than David displayed (2 Sam 6:21-22).

As Christians, the blessings we've been given by God far surpass those given to David (Paul gives a huge list of them in Ephesians chapters 1-3). And this is ALL by grace. We didn't deserve it, but God chose us and predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ. What an amazing God we serve!