All In

In America, our president is chosen by the majority who agree with his/her worldview and the promises, policies, ideas and solutions he espouses. If we don’t like his performance, we can dump him for another guy in four years. If he’s really bad, we can impeach him.

Not so with a king however, which is what Israel preferred. They wanted one like all their neighbors had ….a king whose power was absolute. This king could determine your profession, whom you married, how much tax you paid, conscript you into the army or make you work without pay, take your kids and he could take your life if he chose without consulting anyone. They chose a human king over God, who as their King had performed incredible signs and wonders to release them from slavery, lead them to an amazing land, provided for all their needs in abundance and just asked for obedience in return.

So God gave them Saul and then David to rule with the idea that the king would take direction from God or a prophet He’d chosen to advise the king, and then the king would rule the people accordingly. But men then, just like today, were full of themselves and that rarely happened.

When David was about to die, his son Solomon was crowned king....he was about 20 years old. David had been tremendously successful as king because he deferred to God, followed His lead and when he strayed and was confronted by God, was humble, admitted his sin, asked forgiveness and lined back up with God as head.

Interesting the charge he gave his son on his succession. In I Kings 2, David tells him the key to success is to be “strong, show yourself a man and obey all the laws and commandments of God.” Then David outlined the threats he needed to remove from his kingdom.

God appears to Solomon in a dream and says, “Ask what you want me to give you.” Solomon does not ask for riches or fame, but for an understanding heart or a listening heart, for wisdom to rule.

Question that begs answering is do we want a king? Do we really want a king? Or do we prefer a democracy (actually not a choice in a relationship with God!) with God’s word a “please consider”, an option among many that we save until we’re out of ideas, desperate and then when He gives answers or solutions, we vote on them? This is a valid question.

Interesting how Jesus simply said, “Follow Me.” No explanations, no five year plans, no list of rules, just a simple, “Follow Me.” Hang out with Me. Get to know Me. Walk with Me.

When that happens, you get to know the Person, you become intimately acquainted with how He does things, how He thinks, comforts, listens. His time frames, His methods, His priorities. Trust is born, love is nurtured.

“After these things I looked and behold, a door standing open in heaven....and a throne was standing in heaven and One sitting on the throne. And He who was sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones and the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. Twenty four thrones surrounded him and twenty four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads.

And from the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven lamp stands with burning flames....in front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.

There were four living beings around the throne that cried day and night,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty...the one who always was, who is and who is still to come.”

There are twenty four elders on thrones surrounding His throne and they lay their crowns before His throne and say, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.”

Now that’s a King.

This King sent His Son so we could know Him. Personally. One on one. He who knows the beginning from the end, who created us and set us right where we are, rules and reigns over all....wants me to know Him. That He is worthy, trustworthy. He is able. That He loves me with this incredible love.

But we have to make Him king, not president. So David’s admonitions apply to us.

Be a strong woman. My word goes against the world’s grain. Few will agree because they are not in relationship with Me as you are. They do not “see” as you “see.” My Holy Spirit does not live within them...there’s no way they can understand My word like you do. But you’re going to have to be strong because often you’ll be swimming upstream...alone....although I am always with you. You’re a woman though and I live within you…you can be strong.

Follow my laws and obey my Word. Just like I told Joshua a couple thousand years ago, the same applies to you, “I will be with you...I will not fail you or abandon you. Be strong and courageous....be strong and courageous....Obey all the laws Moses gave you...Do not turn away from them and you will be successful in everything you do. Study this book ...continuously. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then....will you succeed. I command you....be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord you God is with you wherever you go.”

Remove any threats to this kingdom. I need to remove any threats that would remove the King from the throne and make me king…make me the director of my own life.

And our one request of God, should mirror Solomon’s....”God, give me a listening heart.”

Know what you have to do to obtain a listening heart? Shut up. Be still. Quiet your mind, still your soul, open your heart. Listen not only with your head but with your heart. Dedicate time to listen. And God, your King, will lead you.

Auburn University’s football team is 13-0 and on their way to the national championship. Early this season I started noticing signs around the stadium that said, “Auburn – Family - All In”. It’s a poker term meaning to wager one’s entire stake.

Win or lose, faulty defense or great, on or off field problems, we, as the Auburn Family, are all in….committed to supporting you guys no matter what. You don’t have to look in those stands and wonder if we’ll be there. You don’t have to read the blogs to see if we still love and support you. We are all in.

Who is king in your life…you or God? It can’t be both. Are you all in?