the government upon His shoulder -- part 3

Jonathan gives David his robe, armor, and weapons.  (1 Samuel 18:3-4)

The Word for today:
1 Samuel 11-12


Yesterday we learned that Biblical government isn’t about the process, but about the Person. Thus, the only form of government which the Bible endorses is the government upon His shoulder:

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders. (Isaiah 9:6)

Furthermore, we learned that there will be no peace until the Prince of Peace returns to enforce the peace:

And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
 

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But what shall we do in the meantime, until the Prince of Peace returns to place the government upon his shoulders? The story of Jonathan (King Saul’s son and next-in-line to be king) and David answers that question…

1. Depose yourself. If you are the king of your domain, it is time to abdicate the throne.

I recommend a literal ceremony. Make a construction paper crown and pretend your chair is the throne. Now (quoting Samuel) depose yourself with these words:

"The LORD has torn the kingdom from you today and has given it to one better than you.” (1 Samuel 15:28)

2. Then, as Jonathan did for King David, step aside for the rightful King:
"You will be king, and I will be second to you." (I Sam. 23:17)

3. Relinquish dominion:

Jonathan stripped himself of the title and the accoutrements and proclaimed David the rightful King to come:
Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt. (1 Samuel 18:3-4)

***

Other than vote and hope, there is not much any one of us can do about “the government” at large. But we can hand our own little “crowns,” -- our own little domains, our own lives –over to the King.

There is no need to wait for Him to return. We can place the government of our hearts, hands, heads, and homes upon his shoulders right now.

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