PASSIONATE FOR GOD AND OTHERS
While it is common for people to be passionate about themselves, it requires an unusual person to be more mindful about others than about themselves. The innate nature of man makes us self-centered, self-seeking, self-absorbed and selfish in our outlook. But things change when the love of God comes home. This happens when the spirit is awakened by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit consequent to belief in Jesus Christ as one’s Savior. With God thereby residing within man, true sacrificial agape love that characterizes the very nature of God becomes evident. The selfish outlook is replaced by a passion to serve God and help others.
This was evident in the life of David.
“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning. (1Chronicles 17:7-9)
By God’s sovereign choice, the Spirit of God came to rest upon David and he demonstrated a life that was passionate for God and the people of Israel. Being a shepherd prepared him for the greater task of being shepherd of the people. His heart for God was unmatched and he repeatedly placed the interests of his people before his. So, in becoming the ruler of Israel, he demonstrated the servant leadership that was unique in his time and later came to complete fulfilment through the life and ministry of Christ as the servant-ruler and savior of the world.
David understood that his exaltation was consequent to this passion for God and for the people entrusted to him. He became a legend not only in Israel but throughout the world and the world still celebrates his life and achievements. Also, through him, God brought the nation of Israel to a place of rest, security and prosperity. Not only is David celebrated today, but the era of David and his son is remembered as the golden era in the history of the nation of Israel.
Every person has the option to either live out his life for himself and strive to meet his own needs or else to let the love of Christ within direct him to a life of service for others. This service needs to be guided by the will of God, so that God’s purposes are accomplished and his name glorified. God is no man’s debtor and what naturally follows is also the exaltation of such a person and his generations to follow, as was the case with David.
