Suggested Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 13-16
Devotional Thought:
Title: “The Greatest Ability is Dependability.”
Chapter 14 shows that while David had bitter enemies to the south, he had a staunch ally in Hiram king of Tyre to his north. As king of a very minor state he may have lacked military power, but his expertise in building and planning made him an invaluable supporter of both David and Solomon. This man’s dependability is to be commended, for Scripture records that “Hiram was ever a lover of David.” (1 Kings 5:1) Loyalty that spans the years is so valuable, whether it is faithful commitment to a friend or consistent reliability to the Lord. The shifting circumstances of life will never affect the character trait of dependability. It was certainly in the providence of God that a bond was created between these two men, for Hiram’s resources and skills were priceless when it came to the building of the temple. God is always a step ahead, so, a generation ahead of time, he promoted a friendship which would facilitate the construction of His sanctuary. Hiram’s name means “noble”, and he was one of those people in Scripture who lived up to his name, for not only was he noble as to his position in life but he was also noble in his character. I believe it was Dr. Bob Jones Sr. who said, “You can borrow brains, but you cannot borrow character.” Hiram sent cedars and the men who were gifted and skilled in building to build David a house. God had consistently taken care of David in the wilderness of Abdullah, but David was now called by God to lead Israel from Jerusalem. Hiram’s initiative provided David with circumstantial evidence that his kingship was of the Lord, for “David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel.” (vs. 2) Sometimes the Lord does use developing circumstances to give His people the assurance that they are being carried along in the stream of His will for their lives. Remember that circumstances never determine the will of God, but they can be greatly used to confirm the will of God. David had the same kind of confidence as Paul and his friends in Acts 16:10 who went into Macedonia, “assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.” They, like David, had had their ups and downs, their disappointments and their thwarted plans, but now there was a happy contentment that God was directing their course. The quiet satisfaction of being assured of the will of God for our lives is something that is to be coveted and enjoyed. God used this dependable friend of David to encourage his heart and to give confidence in his calling. Are you a dependable friend? Can God count on you? Are you dependable for God to use in someone else’s life? Who are your dependable friends that God has given to you? Take time to thank God for them this morning.
Personal Prayer Requests:
- Lord, please help me to never forget to thank you for your faithfulness and how it is demonstrated in the friends you have given to me to help me live the Christian life.
- Lord, thank you for my dependable friends. Those who are a consistent picture of your truth and who love me enough to encourage me to walk in that truth.
- Lord, please help me to be the kind of friend my family, church, and friends can count on. Please use me to meet their needs and to give them confidence in your will.