God-Endowed and Enabled Greatness

UV 1379/10,000 God-Endowed and Enabled Greatness

And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth.

I Chronicles 17 v 8

The Lord God told David that He had been with him wherever he went and had cut off all his enemies from his sight. He had made him a name like the names of the greatest men in the earth. Indeed, David is remembered as one of the greatest of kings of Israel, if not the greatest. A shepherd boy, the least among his brothers who was sent to fend for Jesse’s sheep while the latter fought in Saul’s army, had become the greatest of kings, the forerunner of the Messiah-King Jesus. David proves the truth of the dictum that belief can make an ant a giant. Belief can – provided it is based on facts of history, the truth of the Word and reason. Belief is a framework or crucible that rests on the tripod of fact, truth and reason, not legend, myth or falsehood.


David’s natural enemies were cut off before him. As a shepherd, he killed a bear and fought a lion to save his sheep. He had risked his life to fight creatures of greater strength to defend what was given into his responsibility. Apart from belief in God and one’s own destiny or self belief, one needs to be faithful to one’s given responsibilities. God works on the principle- he who is faithful in a little will be faithful in a lot and he who is faithless in a little will be faithless in a lot. David had his own weaknesses but when the fact that he had fallen to temptation in committing adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, one of his own fighting men, was brought to his notice by the prophet Nathan, he truly repented. His weakness emerged not when he was a vulnerable shepherd exposed to the elements and dangers of nature but when he had become king and was more immune and unquestioned. One has to prepare for the cracks in our nature emerging once we mature as leaders and occupy positions of power and influence just as aging walls throw up cracks. Purity as one sceptic said should not be a case of lack of opportunities but due to wilful choice.

But David’s greatness rested on his anointing by God. It rested on his heart that was ready to repent when his fault was pointed out. Despite his moral failing, God called him a man after his own heart. He worshipped with abandon. He humbled himself before God, was thankful and remembered his own humble origin. David repented wholeheartedly. God gave him victory and success all round. His own wife Michal reproached him but David preferred the honour or esteem of God over the esteem of people. David represented the combination of godly offices of king, prophet and priest. Each of us today is given this anointing of greatness, regardless of our origin, our lineage, our background, our past lives, our failings, to be king, prophet and priest. As spiritual kings, we are to rule over all the spiritual domains, powers and principalities of darkness. As priests, we are to continually worship the Lord in spirit, truth and the beauty of holiness. We are to intercede for the salvation of all nations and people. As prophets, we are to discern the times, signs and seasons. We are given intuition or premonition of things that are yet to happen. The fruit of the spirit that pertain to the kingly office are patience, kindness and self control. The fruit of the spirit that pertain to the priestly office are love, joy and peace. The qualities that pertain to the prophetic function are faithfulness, humility and goodness. Each of us is to be a perfect balance of grace and power. The sixteen hours of our waking days should see in operation one or other of the three offices, the three sets of qualities and the gifts of the spirit that are given to enable us to fulfil our God- mandated greatness. Grace is God-endowed and enabled greatness. God does not want just the odd great man of history but every believer is expected, endowed and enabled to be great. Greatness is not cultivated habit, accomplishment or aggrandisement but it is a calling and an anointing. David’s military exploits did not last, his monuments and palaces did not outlast the ravages of time and history. But the message of his life, his faith and his experience lasts to this day. The message of our lives will endure.

Prateep V Philip