Today I had a new thought as I read 1 Chronicles 18 which provides insight into man's relationship with God. Having a "relationship" with someone in no way ensures it is a healthy one. There are strained relationships, dysfunctional ones, business relationships or relationships for convenience, and distant or failed relationships. Based upon all the kinds of interpersonal relationships humans are capable of having a healthy, close relationship is exceptionally rare. All people have a relationship with God as those created by Him, but it does not ensure our hearts are inclined or right before Him.
After God established David as king, He gave him victory over his enemies. 1 Chronicles 18:13 says, "He also put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went." The Edomites were defeated by David's army and were subjugated to Israel. The people of Edom became David's servants, and their manner of servitude was of a different sort from the Jews who dwelt in Jerusalem. Through battle David had become ruler of Edom, but there was no love or loyalty towards David, a foreign king. David conquered them but they remained Edomites. They would happily shrug off an obligation to serve David if a better deal came along, and therefore David strategically placed garrisons in Edom - military installations which neutralised the threat of rebellion.
I wonder: how many relationships of God's "servants" resemble the one between David and the Edomites? Perhaps they were obliged to bring tribute or gifts to their new king as the defeated Syrians did in 1 Chronicles 18:6, "Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought tribute. So the LORD preserved David wherever he went." Having been conquered by the love of Jesus Christ, do we serve Him out of love or obligation? Do we bring offerings to our LORD because we are required to demonstrate our allegiance or because we desire His presence? The Syrians and Edomites may have been glad to have David as their king should they be attacked, but the garrisons were likely intrusive and a source of bitterness. The garrisons were reminders they were an occupied people, and I believe professing believers can have this sort of animosity brewing against God.
Those who have tasted and seen God is good do well to embrace their new identity in Christ, choosing to reject their old loyalties and give their allegiance, love, and respect to their new King! May our sacrifice and service be out of love and thankfulness for who God is and how He has delivered us from sin and death. The flesh is unwilling and unable to convert, but the Gospel makes new creations through faith in Jesus. The flesh can be subjugated for a season, yet only those who are born again can be genuinely subject to God. Once we are born again by faith in Christ can we have a right relationship with God, a closeness well represented by a father and his beloved child.
After God established David as king, He gave him victory over his enemies. 1 Chronicles 18:13 says, "He also put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went." The Edomites were defeated by David's army and were subjugated to Israel. The people of Edom became David's servants, and their manner of servitude was of a different sort from the Jews who dwelt in Jerusalem. Through battle David had become ruler of Edom, but there was no love or loyalty towards David, a foreign king. David conquered them but they remained Edomites. They would happily shrug off an obligation to serve David if a better deal came along, and therefore David strategically placed garrisons in Edom - military installations which neutralised the threat of rebellion.
I wonder: how many relationships of God's "servants" resemble the one between David and the Edomites? Perhaps they were obliged to bring tribute or gifts to their new king as the defeated Syrians did in 1 Chronicles 18:6, "Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought tribute. So the LORD preserved David wherever he went." Having been conquered by the love of Jesus Christ, do we serve Him out of love or obligation? Do we bring offerings to our LORD because we are required to demonstrate our allegiance or because we desire His presence? The Syrians and Edomites may have been glad to have David as their king should they be attacked, but the garrisons were likely intrusive and a source of bitterness. The garrisons were reminders they were an occupied people, and I believe professing believers can have this sort of animosity brewing against God.
Those who have tasted and seen God is good do well to embrace their new identity in Christ, choosing to reject their old loyalties and give their allegiance, love, and respect to their new King! May our sacrifice and service be out of love and thankfulness for who God is and how He has delivered us from sin and death. The flesh is unwilling and unable to convert, but the Gospel makes new creations through faith in Jesus. The flesh can be subjugated for a season, yet only those who are born again can be genuinely subject to God. Once we are born again by faith in Christ can we have a right relationship with God, a closeness well represented by a father and his beloved child.
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