1 Chronicles 18:9-11 - When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had
defeated the entire army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet
him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been
at war with Tou. Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold and silver and
bronze. King David dedicated these
articles to the LORD, as he had done with the silver and gold he had taken from
all these nations: Edom and Moab, the Ammonites and the
Philistines, and Amalek.
David’s reign was so blessed by God that he overcame the
Philistine army that had fought against Israel since he was a boy. He conquered the neighboring kingdom of Moab…and
killed all the Syrians that came to help them.
These countries paid large sums of money to David….as a tribute. This
king… Tou of Hamath…saw the power that David had to conquer his nation…and was
overjoyed that he had already conquered one of his enemies lands….so he sent
him congratulations and gifts…in order to build an alliance.
David’s humble heart accepted the gifts for what they were…and
then dedicated them to God…so God could decide how best to use them. It even tells us that this wasn’t the first
time David had dedicated something to God...for David dedicated all the spoils
of the wars he received from fighting with other nations...to the God that had
placed him upon the throne of Israel….and promised to keep his sons and family
as heirs forever.
It is a huge reminder to me that what we receive as
blessings need to be dedicated to God…before we decide what human use they
have. David took some of these spoils…the
gold…silver and the bronze…and set it aside…saved it for Soloman….to build God’s
new home…a grand temple. We are not told what David did with the rest…but my
heart tells me that most of it was saved….because David had been convicted of
living a little too high and lofty just a few chapters back.
God has blessed me with so very much…but I admit in this
moment…I can’t remember taking each thing he gave me and dedicating it to his
service. I can however learn from David….and begin in this moment to place my
knees on an altar…and thank him for what comes my way today…and even take a
moment to thank him for any good thing he gave me I might have forgotten to ask
him to bless. I can dedicate all that I
have in my possession in this moment…to his service…and ask him what he wishes
me to do with it from this moment on.
Father…I thank you for this reminder that everything I have belongs
to you. Thank you for the blessings you
have showered on me and give me ears and eyes to listen to how you would have
me use it to bring more people into an understanding of your love. Send me
clear directions of how I should use the resources you have given me…make them
clear…so I will see and hear your voice plainly. Thank you God….for allowing me to be your
child….for sending your son to pay any debt I owed so that I could enjoy your
love ...with no fees involved. Amen.
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