When David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep. Acts 13:36
This brief summary of a believer’s life is like a news story that answers the "what, where, when, and why" questions of an event.
We are told "what" King David did: He served God’s purpose and did His will. He was God’s instrument when writing his psalms, ruling God’s people wisely and well, and lending support to the worship life of priests and people.
The "where" of David’s service was his generation, the people of God in his kingdom, with Jerusalem its chief city. He served wherever God placed him – out in the open where he tended sheep, in the army where he overcame the giant Goliath, in the palace as king.
David rendered service to God and people in his lifetime. This was the "when" of his activity. When his time was fulfilled, he fell asleep.
That leaves the "why" of David’s service. Why did he serve? He was prompted to do this by God’s gracious purpose for him and his people. He declares in Psalm 18:1, “I love You, O LORD, my strength.” In Psalm 31:23 he urges us all, “Love the LORD, all His saints!” It is evident that David loved his Lord, and for that reason served Him.
For all of us, life is measured out, for shorter or longer durations. In our lives, too, are the "what, where, when, and why" questions to be answered. The "what" is the rendition of service in fulfillment of God’s purpose – His purpose that all people should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. The "where" is the place where we live and work. The "when" is our lifetime, the time we share with our generation, our contemporaries. And the "why" is our love to God, who first loved us and gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior. With these points fulfilled, your life is a wonderful news story.
PRAYER: O Lord Jesus, guide and strengthen me so that I may live a life of service to You. Amen.
(Devotions from "With Jesus Every Day" copyright 1997, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time emailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: Genesis 31-32 Matthew 20:1-16
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select "Save Link As" or "Save Target As" or "Download Linked File As"